At least one verse in the Bible achieves a remarkable feat. It covers the entire expanse of eternity—from before the beginning of time into the infinite future—with just eighteen words (in the NIV):
“Those [God] predestined, he also called;
those he called, he also justified,
those he justified, he also glorified.”
–Romans 8:30.
That verse also includes four heavy-duty theological concepts. Thick volumes of commentary have been written about each one: 1) predestination, 2) God’s call upon a life, 3) justification, and 4) glorification. But Eugene Peterson has explained each with brevity, wisdom, and simplicity:
“After God made the decision of what his children should be like” (predestined*),
”he followed it up by calling people by name” (called).
“After he called them by name, He set them on a solid basis with himself” (justified).
“And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end,
gloriously completing what he had begun” (glorified).
–Romans 8:30, The Message
Part of that completion will occur when Jesus presents us with our new bodies and abilities, once we reach heaven (Philippians 3:20-21).
But note that those key verbs: predestined, called, justified, and glorified, are all past tense—even the last one.
Some Bible scholars make the point that our glorification in heaven** is so certain, Paul chose past tense.
But there are at least several aspects of glorification that are available to us now. That’s because God’s glory—the sum of his majesty, splendor, and wondrous attributes—gleams brightly in the hearts of those who know Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Think of it. Everything he is, he offers to us in the present, including his wisdom, grace, and kindness; goodness, mercy, and strength; truth, power, and love. Of course, that’s just a partial list. Our God is infinite; so are his glorious attributes.
And as we make ourselves available to God, we begin to experience God’s glory in our lives.
We begin to recognize his goodness in every provision, his mercy and power each time we’re shielded from harm, his wisdom when events unfold for our growth, his love in every blessing, great and small.
We begin to make choices that reflect God’s glorious presence within. Out of love and appreciation, we desire to lead a life worthy of him and pleasing to him in every way (Colossians 1:10).
We also begin to reflect God’s glory to others.
In 1852, a small band of miners discovered gold in Montana. Knowing that the gold rush in California (1849) had caused cutthroat competition and gross inflation, they decided to keep their find a secret. But not long after they returned to town, word spread of their discovery.
Who let the secret slip out? No one. The townspeople knew they had found gold because of the joy on their faces.
We, the glorified children of God, have found greater wealth than gold in our Heavenly Father. And as we contemplate his glory, we become transformed into his image. Joy radiates from our faces, just as it did from the miners’ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Even more wondrous? As we seek to know him, the Almighty God of the universe is pursuing us. He longs for us to be close to him, where we can experience more of his glory—here and now– and “the glorious riches of his inheritance among the saints” (Ephesians 1:18 HCSB).
Praise to our glorious God for his overflowing love, kindness, and generosity!
* * * * * * * * * *
*Predestination is a confusing concept. I appreciate Warren Wiersbe’s explanation in Be Right (Victor Books, 1976). He says the concept only applies to Christians. Nowhere in the Bible do we find evidence that God has prechosen certain people to be forever condemned. He’s given each person the choice to follow him or not (John 1:12).
** a thorough transformation into holy radiance (Ephesians 5:27)
(Art & photo credits: www.pinterest.com; http://www.faithgateway.com; http://www.egoldprospecting.com.)
From the Inside Out 
You always round up the most lovely things, Nancy–I liked Eugene Peterson’s take on this verse–awesome!
Thank you, Jody. I so appreciate The Message. Rev. Peterson’s fresh interpretations always add insight, don’t they?
Nancy, this is a wonderful post…every single bit of it. But I especially appreciate the very end when you quote Warren Wiersbe’s explanation of ‘predestination’. That really makes things crystal clear! Reconciling predestination with free will… This nails it! I knew that God is not willing that any should perish…which is why He died for ALL of us. But He never forces Himself on anyone. He wants us to choose to accept Him. This is the first time I’ve seen that predestination only applies to Christians. Thanks for this! (And also for the miner’s story!)
Warren Wiersbe has been a favorite Bible teacher of mine for many years. So glad you found his explanation of predestination to be meaningful. It sure enlightened me!
Good story about those miners. Good one to remember. I never noticed before those words were past tense. Quite a lesson. Thanks Nancy!
Thank you, Jean. I appreciate that miner story, too. It provides a sharp mind-picture for me of the joy that should emanate from my spirit, putting a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eye!
Dearest Nancy,
you are among a handful of bloggers whom I take time to read these days. How I wish I could sit longer and chat about these profound mysteries. Romans 9:16-24 comes to mind. It says,
“It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”
…
As such tiny pieces in the magnificent picture of God’s plan for human kind, I am in awe. Thank you, for pointing us to graciously to His Word. We often come from the prideful place of thinking we deserve to be given a chance, when in all actuality – without Christ and in ourselves – we are utterly helpless.
How much we are in need of His mercy, even to show us our great depravity.
What a God, Who pursues His creation with such vigor and love, with such hope and patience.
You put me in a place of awe today!
Blessings to you!
Thank you, Heidi, for your sweet encouragement. Putting you “in a place of awe” makes me shake my head in wonder! Praise God for his inspiration of ideas and ways to communicate them. I am also humbled and honored that you have chosen to continue reading “From the Inside Out.”
Finally, thank you as well for sharing Romans 9:16-24, where Paul expounds on God’s sovereignty vs. man’s choice. You’ve inspired me to study further this passage!
[…] View original post @ https://nancyaruegg.com/2015/08/06/the-glory-of-here-and-now/ […]
While I hold The Message (and all paraphrases) with a loose grip, I appreciate the fresh way of wording things sometimes. This is a lovely interpretation.
You’ve tackled a difficult theological can of worms here with grace. And I agree that pondering this puts me in awe of what He planned, executed, and finished so long ago. Hard to realize our glorification is already as good as done when we’re still mucking through the timeline, yes?
Amen, Rebeca, Amen! A lesser god may not have been so forthcoming with such promises! Our God’s grace IS overwhelming. I agree with you about paraphrases. You have to read them for what they are, and not expect exact translation. However, Steve and I have a parallel Bible with the NIV and The Message side by side. I’ve been impressed how close Peterson stays with the meaning of the text–not veering too far too often. His fresh perspective does gives me a fresh outlook! Thank you for stopping by, Rebeca. I know how busy you must be with another school year starting. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments!