Rejoicing In Hope

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace therein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:2

What is it to rejoice in hope of the glory of God?  Paul is discussing the effects of justification.  He has already pointed out that, ‘being justified by faith we have peace with God.’  He remarks further that ‘we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.’  As a third benefit, he declares that we, ‘rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’  How can we understand this?  We understand that all creation exists to bring glory to God and that our chief end as humans is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  We also understand that the way we glorify God most is by becoming like Christ.  Justification, which is God’s acceptance of us on the basis of the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, is a key element of that whereby we bring glory to God.  Justification also causes us to have hope that we will not only bring God glory, but also that we will behold the glory of God in person.  Thus, we have hope that we will make a contribution to bringing God glory both now and in the future.  All of this hope of glory relates to Christ, Who is the Person Who brings us to the place in life where we are actually bringing God glory.  Apart from Christ we will not fulfill that for which God created us.  We rejoice in Christ and in the hope He brings.

Great God of Wonders,
we rejoice that You are the God of Hope,
and that You give us hope in Christ.
We praise You that all which You have bestowed upon us
points us to the day
when we shall see Him Face-to-face.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning