The concept of God's glory often feels elusive and mysterious. We talk about glorifying the Lord through our praise and learn about His glory appearing as a pillar of fire in Sunday School. Yet, fully grasping the essence of God’s glory seems beyond our reach. And perhaps that’s because, if we could completely understand it, it might not be as glorious.
While we can marvel at aspects of His glory now, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 speaks of an eternal weight of glory that is beyond our current comprehension. The fullness of God's glory remains incomprehensible to us at present. Nevertheless, there are aspects of His glory we can understand through His Word, particularly regarding His presence and its implications for our lives.
God’s Glory in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God’s glory frequently referred to His physical presence. Exodus 40:34-35 describes how the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, the mobile place of worship for the Israelites, at its dedication. Similarly, when Solomon built the temple, 1 Kings 8:10-11 notes that God’s glory filled that sacred space as well.
However, when Israel persisted in disobedience, Ezekiel 10:18 reports that God’s glory departed from the temple because of their sin. Even after the exiles returned and rebuilt the temple, the same visible glory did not reappear.
Yet, God’s promise to never abandon His people remained true, though its fulfillment may not have been as expected. In Haggai 2:5-9, God promises, “I will fill this house with glory” and declares that the latter glory of the temple will surpass the former. Similarly, in Zechariah 2:5, God says He will be “a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.” Since these visions did not physically materialize as described, many theologians interpret them as referring to Jesus, who ministered in the temple during His earthly ministry.
God’s Glory in the New Testament
Jesus embodies God’s glory in a remarkable way. Hebrews 1:3 describes Him as “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Through Jesus, God’s glory—manifested in human form—returned to the earth and to the temple.
Jesus further revealed God’s glory through His miracles. For instance, in John 11:40, He states, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God,” referring to the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. These miracles were manifestations of God’s divine power and glory.
After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, His physical presence departed from the earth. However, God’s glory continues through the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, we see the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers, signifying God’s continued presence in a new form. Our bodies are called “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19), illustrating that God still dwells with His people, but now through the Spirit.
Experiencing God’s Glory in Us
This understanding of God’s glory is not meant to inflate our own sense of importance. Just as the tabernacle and temple were ordinary structures made extraordinary by God’s presence, we too are mere mortals transformed by the indwelling Spirit. The question then becomes: How do we allow God’s glory to fill us?
The debate over whether a believer can lose their salvation or the Holy Spirit is complex and ongoing. However, it’s clear that believers can be filled with the Holy Spirit to varying degrees. Ephesians 5:18 commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, indicating that we play an active role in this process.
Reject Sin
One way to invite God’s glory into our lives is by repenting of and avoiding sin. Just as God’s glory could not remain with Israel due to their persistent sin, our hearts cannot be filled with the Spirit if they are cluttered with sin. Galatians 5:19-23 contrasts the fruits of sin with the fruits of the Spirit, emphasizing that we must choose between practicing sin and allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives.
Remove Hindrances
Other factors, besides sin, can hinder our experience of God’s glory. Personal struggles or distractions, even if they seem benign or “godly,” can obstruct our openness to the Holy Spirit. For instance, during a period of battling panic attacks, I found that overcoming fear helped me experience a greater filling of the Spirit. Identifying and addressing such hindrances can enable a fuller experience of God’s glory.
Receive by Faith
While we may not witness dramatic manifestations like tongues of fire today, we can trust in the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence through faith. Acts 2:38 promises that repentance and belief in Jesus lead to receiving the Holy Spirit. Even if we don’t always feel His presence, we can be assured of it by faith.
Why It Matters
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the Christian life, serving as Teacher, Comforter, and Helper. He convicts us of sin, empowers righteousness, and intercedes on our behalf. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of God’s presence in the world today.
As believers, the glory of God in us is significant because we represent Him on earth. Our reflection of His glory influences how nonbelievers perceive Him and ministers to fellow believers as we follow His guidance.
Let us invite the glory of the Lord to fill us, His temple, so that He may be glorified in our lives