The Glory and Power of God’s Word within Us

The Glory and Power of God’s Word within Us

Paul provides some valuable insights into what will happen at our transition from these earthly ‘tents’ (flesh bodies) to our heavenly ‘building’ (spiritual, eternal bodies), 2Cor 5:1.

First, we must know that there are bodies for different purposes, for different environments, and which emit different levels of glory. Read the following passage to get the context,

1Co 15:39-43 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

Notice verse 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead, or our transition from the flesh into our eternal bodies. At our transition, we are raised in incorruption, we are raised in glory, and we are raised in power. The attribute of incorruption is absolute. However, the other two attributes, glory and power, will vary from person to person, when they are assigned their vocations (Eph 4:1) in the eternal state, as we are informed in the preceding scripture passage. The assigning of such glory and power is based on what transpires at the Judgement (Bema) Seat of Christ.

Insights into the Judgement Seat of Christ

2Co 5:9-10 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1Co 3:11-13 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

2Ti 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these [content referred to in preceding verses of 2Tim 2:1-19], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

The verses above all point to positions of assignment, relative to how one built up one’s life, how one laboured to be accepted of Him, and how one purged themselves unto godliness by means of the saturation of the Word of God, 2Tim 2:15. These activities, build up, labour, and purge, are not works of performance that we do to impress God or people. The works are not ‘good works’ done for church groups or missions or any noble purpose. It is not activities that we do to fill up an accountability ledger in order to be rewarded for it one day. None of these things impress God and are worthy of His reward. So, what is it that God rewards?

The only thing that God is impressed with and that merits His attention and reward, is His Son. This is clear by simply looking at how highly God has exalted Him. Jesus Christ was resurrected in glory. He is seated at the right hand of God, which is a position of absolute honour and power. God will place ALL things under His feet and make Him to be the head of ALL principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, Eph 1:20-23. It is apparent that Jesus impressed the Father. The things that Jesus did is clearly worthy of reward and honour. If we are to impress God, and merit His attention and reward, it is simply this; to align ourselves to Jesus Christ. To have Jesus Christ formed within us. To gain in knowledge of His ways, and His will. To become less in ourselves and allow Him to live His life through us. How do we do this?

We do this by getting the Word of God into us. The Word? Yes! Did not John say that Jesus is the Word (Jn 1:1,14). So, to get Jesus into us, we simply get the Word of God into us. We study the Word, read the Word, memorize the Word, have the Word saturate us so much that it influences our thoughts, our behaviours, our speech, and our actions. If the Word outflows from us, then we walk according to that which comes from Christ in us. How will this not result in the gold, silver and precious stones that Jesus is searching for, and judging, at the Bema Seat? How will the very outflow of Christ in us not result in us being vessels of honour, purging out the world and its wood, hay and stubble? Is this not the labour we do that will reap for us an eternal body that is assigned a glory and power that equates to how much of Christ is found in us? This is worthy of consideration, since the time we invest in the Word of God here and now, will result in our eternal vocation and state of being in the eternities of the ages to come.

Let me end with one final proof that will add weight and validation to this interpretation of our future. Consider this scripture in light of our above discussion,

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

In biblical terms, our hope is set on future events. Our hope is for the return of Christ, for receiving our eternal bodies, and for the glory of the New Man, the Body of Christ, which will bring great honour and praise to its Head, Jesus Christ. The verse above speaks of our hope of glory. In the proper context, this glory is the combined glory of the New Man in its fullest capacity, however, each member of that body will inherit its glory and power from how much of Christ was found in them individually, at the Bema Seat. Our positions in the heavens, are determined by whether we are vessels of honour or dishonour. There are thrones, principalities, dominions, powers and mights in the heavenly places. The positions of governance in the heavens will be filled by those who know the will and the ways of God. Various positions of authority will be given to those in relation to how much of Christ was found in them; that self-same Christ that is honoured by God and worthy of God’s attention and merits. It is clear by the verses in this study that the Word of God is of great value to our future and our vocational positions. The purpose and glory of our resurrection bodies are endowed with the reward of power and glory in direct relation to our knowledge of His Word formed within us.

Oh, how marvellous and worthy are the ways and judgements of our God. Amen.