First Church of God

I entitle this "The Glory Debate" because I found myself not quite sure of where our author was heading while reading this chapter.  After finishing the chapter, I really wasn't sure that he completed his thought.  Or, at least not enough for me.  Now, don't get me wrong...I still like this book, but just because you read something and like it, that does not mean you should disengage your own brain.  You should always be willing to check things out for yourself.  It is important to "own" your beliefs. In saying all of this, I feel it is important to tell you as a disclaimer that our author comes from a different denomination than Church of God, Anderson, Indiana.  I tell you this not to cast a shadow on the book at all, but just to give you some insight on the perspective of our author.  This does not invalidate his point of view, it may just be a little different than what we are used to.  Different is not a bad thing.  As a matter of fact, different, adds color to our lives.  We should always be willing to challenge ourselves intellectually and open ourselves up to new ideas or ways of looking at things, if it is supported by the word of God. 

This chapter in particular took a bit of a "legalistic" view of the glory of God for me.  I found it a little hard to swallow that we cannot experience the glory of God while here on earth.  I do agree that we will not see the FULL glory of God until we meet Him face to face in eternity.  But, while agreeing with this, I disagree that we cannot, at moments, sense His glory and be aware of it.  If you read John 1:14 it says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  The apostles got a glimpse of the glory of God through Jesus.  And, my argument would be found within the passage in Galatians 4:4-7, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."  So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."  My thought process is this...while we may not see the FULL glory of God while here on earth, I do think it is enitirely possible, as Moses did in the OT, to get a glimpse of the glory.  I think it is made possible through the dwelling of the Spirit within the lives of other believers.  I think it is possible when looking into the faces of missionaries, pastors, teachers, lay people, who are totally committed and sold out for Jesus.  I also think it is possible to catch a glimpse of His glory by reading the word of God and allowing the words within the pages to transform us into a "likeness" of Christ for this lost and dying world.  I think it is possible to see a picture of His glory by reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, looking at the life of the Son of God, Jesus! 

So, while the author and I do not totally agree, I am appreciative for the thought provoking words he provides while challenging me to take a look at this subject in depth for myself.  What do you think?