Often when Christians think of God’s glory we think of the shining brilliance of his majesty and splendor that encompasses God’s throne. We think of the visions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John and can only imagine the wonder of what they saw. We await the day when we will see Christ in all his glory forevermore. Even more than this, we await the day when we too will be glorified for all eternity. Perhaps this is why it is a little difficult for us to read Scriptures that place our glorification in a past tense. One such text is found in what is famously known as the “Golden Chain” in Romans 8:28-30.
At the end of a list of connecting words describing the work of God’s grace in the life of the Christian, we read in Romans 8:30 that “those whom he justified, he also glorified.” It is not too uncomfortable for us to accept “justification” in a past tense. In coming to Christ, we have already entered into a right-standing relationship with God because of the cross. In and through Christ we have certainly been justified. It is much harder to fathom that we have been glorified. When we think of glorification, we think of the wonder of our promotion into glory on the last day yet to come.
There is no doubt that Paul does indeed want us to think about our glorification on the last day. In an earlier statement (vs. 18) he had already said that he considers that the sufferings of this time are not worth comparing to the glory that is yet to be revealed. Paul is definitely looking forward to future glory, but in Romans 8:30 he phrases it in a past tense to show us why we can have absolute confidence in the glory yet to come. The reason is found in looking at every word in the golden chain. Those whom God foreknew, he predestined, he called, he justified, and he glorified. This is to say that God determined our glorification even before the day we actually came to know Jesus as our Savior. The glory yet to be revealed is secure because it was always planned for us in God’s eternally certain will.
While this seems to be Paul’s main point, we should also remind ourselves that we are even now participating in God’s glory as we live in Christ in this world. Through God’s work of sanctification in our lives, we are being conformed to the image of Christ as we live for him in the here and now. We are experiencing an ever-increasing sense of his glory as we know him more and become more like him and as we live in anticipation of his final return. Paul made this clear in a statement he wrote to the church in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The stunning reality that every Christian can hold on to is that in Christ, we are not only justified, but glorified, and as we live in growing sanctification, we look forward to that day in which his glory in us will be complete. It will happen because God has eternally willed it.
Look up, raise your hands unto the Lord, and praise him for a work in us beyond our comprehension and infinitely opposite to what we deserve. Thank God for the glorifying work of his grace.