The New City Catechism, #24, correctly affirmed that Christ’s saving work redeems those united to him from the penalty of sin (hell) and from the power of sin (i.e. growing to be more like Jesus, Rom. 8:29).
In the 26th question it is asked if there is anything else part of that redemption: “What else does Christ’s death redeem?” The answer rightly asserts that Christ’s death brings about the eventual total removal even from the presence of sin: “Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.” Paul’s statement in Colossians 1:19–20 is one of the clearest passages that supports this truth: "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Elsewhere, the Bible refers to this future perfection of soul, body, creation, and even the reputation of the believer as “glory” or the doctrine of “glorification (Ps. 73:24; Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 2:7; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Thes. 2:14; 1 Pt. 5:10; 2 Pt. 1:3).
Since this future
glory is our certain hope (Rom. 5:2), it is helpful to give an overview of what
this doctrine entails:[1]
God created mankind
with glory, a full and rich weightiness, a significance that consisted of being
made in His image. Man’s original
identity was one in which he was intended to represent and reflect God in a way
that none of the other creation was. The
very purpose for his existence was to bring other men and the angelic world to
worship God, to glorify God in response to His glorification of man.
With the fall of
mankind into sin his original identity and purpose were twisted. Man’s history has been one of only wanting to
honor himself and reflect his own glory, not God’s. The history of redemption has consisted of
God’s planning for, accomplishing, and working out His restoration of man to
His full identity and purpose of God glorification.
Man’s restoration
takes place in and through Jesus Christ alone who is uniquely qualified as the
perfect and second Adam and the only begotten Son of God to reflect the glory
of God to and through man as no one else can.
Once united to Christ, man, through the saving work of Christ, is
continually transformed into His image.
This transformation
begins with spiritual change. Within the
area of thought life, behavior, how he relates to God, man becomes more like
Christ and thus is able to serve as a billboard for the greatness of God. This change progresses through life and
becomes complete at the time of death.
Yet it doesn’t stop
here. At the return of Christ God’s
perfected saints will be resurrected, thus being changed physically. This physical change will enable man to
resemble Christ in His glorified body.
This transformation is necessary since man is whole only as both soul
and body. This shows the importance of
the physical, it also increases God’s glory--His redemption of man includes the
whole person.
Once man is glorified
fully, his reputation also will be transformed.
All the world will see who each believer is, who the Church is in
community, and how significant they are as billboards for God’s glory. Their true identity may be hidden now, in
fact, they may even be scorned. Yet, at
the time of their glorification they will be the very trophies of God whom He
will praise and glorify that, in turn, He will be glorified. Our desire for significance and purpose will
be fulfilled throughout all of eternity as we dive into the highest of all purposes--God Himself.
God also will
transform man’s environment. The curse
of sin extended to the rest of creation and, as such, it must be transformed in
order for the restoration to be complete.
It also is necessary for the realization of God’s covenantal promises
and also as an accompaniment to man’s other aspects of transformation. Glorified man cannot live in a fallen world.
Finally, we must see that glorification not only deals with the perfection of each individual, but also with the perfection of the Church collectively. It is only as men are in perfect community with one another in the new heaven and earth that the image of God and the glory of God through His redeeming grace will shine forth with the greatest intensity.
Delighting in Future Glory With You,
Tom
[1] The
following is from Tom Barnes, Living
In The Hope Of Future Glory (Evangelical
Press, 2006), 263-65.
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