Future Glory
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Romans 8:18, 28-30
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 28. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
This passage uses past-tense -- predestined, called, justified, glorified. It’s as if it has already happened! And in eternity, the future has already occurred! Some of my friends who are much smarter than I have talked about quantum spirituality--I think it refers to the fact that there are alternate/parallel universes where everything is going on that is going on in ours--but at different times(?) Those with a clearer understanding of it all are probably wincing right now!
Anyway--time in God’s view is not the same ours! We’ve all read that a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day to God. That’s how God “thinks.” That’s how God views us and our lives. God views reality as if we have always been there in eternity with him, because we were thought up a long, long time ago. And we remain with God into infinity, since God is eternal. Think about that! Our “essence” has always been “out there” in the universe!
I can almost understand why some religions believe in reincarnation--or perhaps they
hope in reincarnation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had the opportunity to relive our lives over and over again applying the lessons we learned from the previous life? But Christ took care of all that for us! He lived the one perfect life so that we could all be perfected. What an amazing freedom! What an amazing gift to receive! We don’t need to earn heaven -- the price has already been paid!
So where do we fit in the picture? I think we have strive for the perfection of Christ out of gratitude. We don’t need to keep coming back over and over again ‘til we “get it right” because Jesus already did it for us. So we strive for that perfection in the finite lifetime that we have been given. We do it for the pure joy of it--knowing full well what waits for us when our current bodies are in the ground. And we wait -- with hope, with expectation, with unbridled joy -- for our reincarnation as children of God--perfected in eternity -- in the past and in the future because of Christ.
I wish I could articulate these thoughts more clearly! I am humbled to think about how very small and microscopic we must appear from heaven, and yet how precious and important we are to the Creator of this earth, this universe, and every speck of dust in creation!
My prayer today is that you live out your calling as a child of God. And that you rejoice in the future glory that has already been planned and is waiting for you in eternity.
Mary
