What do we do between justification and glorification?

What do we do between justification and glorification?

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Paul tells us that if we truly believe in Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the grace gospel, we are freely justified by the ‘decree’ of God, and we can have peace with God, and access to the grace that He provides, Rom 5:1-2.

Through faith in the gospel of grace, we are transferred from the administration of death, which is in Adam, into the administration of life, which is in Christ. When we belong to Christ’s administration, we are now identified with righteousness, peace, and life, as Paul continues to tell us,

Rom 5:17-19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

All this activity happens the moment God saves us. We do not feel anything new. We do not sense anything different. Nothing changes in our flesh or in our mind. What has changed has all happened in the spiritual realm. We have a new relationship to God. We are identified in Christ. We are sealed into the family of God. We know this and believe this because the written Word tells us.

So, what now? If I’m saved in my spirit, what happens to my life here on earth? What happens in my circumstances? What do I do from here on?

Well, Paul, as our apostle, tells us exactly what God wants us to do.

1Ti 2:4 [God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Our primary objective, from here on, is to come to a knowledge of the written Word, and more specifically, the revelation of the mystery (Rom 16:25) which is the doctrine written and addressed to us directly. As Rom 16:26 conveys, all other scripture is for our learning, so that we can have the proper context and understanding of God’s redemption plan, but it is Paul’s epistles that is specifically for our application. Paul’s epistles contain our doctrine. We need to read, and study, and come to an understanding of the curriculum that he has provided us. We need to become well versed in Romans to Philemon, having it renew our minds, and applying it practically in our lives. This is how we come to a knowledge of the truth. This is the will of God for us.

Isn’t it interesting that this is our only instruction? By any means possible, get to know the mystery doctrine. That’s it! —But, what about sacrifices? What about obeying the myriad of rules and laws that a Christian is supposed to do. What about changing our habits and doing good works? What about joining a church, spiritual giftings, tithing, and everything else that suddenly appears to be so important, and critical, and expected.

Let me tell you a secret. All of the above is what tradition demands. The above is a man-made performance, so that one can feel accepted. It might appear pious and good, but it is not what God tells us to do. Let me remind you again what God wills us to do. Come to a knowledge of the truth. What is truth for us. Romans to Philemon. Where do we start? Romans. It is the foundation of our curriculum. Once the foundation is firm, we start to build upon it systematically with the truths we learn in Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, …and all the way to Philemon, in that order. Oh, and by the way, this is not a race. This curriculum is a lifelong education. It is not how many times you speed read through the epistles, but how much you learn, and understand, and apply to your life.

Now, let me end with another secret. The reason why God wants us to come to a knowledge of the truth is that the truth will change us. It is the written Word that will lead us into a life that God wants of us. Trying to be a Christian, by doing what traditions and rules say, by getting caught up in what appears to be important, and critical, and expected, is not what God wants. It is this very effort that leads you away from God and kills your spirit. Just pick up the book of Galatians and read what happened to them when they put themselves under laws, in order to try to serve God better. Trying to do things yourself, outside the instructions of Paul, is a trap of epic proportions that leads to condemnation and heartache!!!

The simplicity of a believer is found in reading, and understanding Paul’s epistles, and allowing that living Word to shape you and influence you in thought, in speech, and in action. It is when you start to simply obey the promptings of the Word that is being formed in you, that you start to walk in the Spirit. When you start to walk in the Spirit, it is then that you start to ‘fulfil the law’, naturally and effectively, as the verse 4 says below. You start to do by design what God wants you to do, because it is His Word influencing you as you give yourself over to obedience to it. This is the walk of faith which pleases God and matures you progressively towards sonship in Him.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Let me end by highlighting what the above verse said. We are debtors, not to the flesh, not to traditions and rules, not to performance and expectations. No! We are debtors to the Word, which is the Spirit of God living within us. We are debtors to obedience of the Word. This is why God tells us, and wills for us, to come to a knowledge of the truth. It is ONLY the truth that can change us and set us free. The moment we try to live the Christian life in any other way, no matter how good it appears, is a deathtrap to our spiritual functionality and relationship with God.

Did you ever think that Christianity is so simple? When it gets complicated and tiresome, then you are veering off the path of grace into places you don’t want to be. It is the Word that is our light and our salvation. Our mind and heart should always be filled with it, and then your life will truly honour God.

Col 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

God bless.