The call to discipleship is ultimately a call to glory. But what does glory mean? In the Bible, glory is not just about heaven. It signifies the ultimate state we are called to achieve as Christians. Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:14, "He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." This reminds us that our journey as disciples leads us to share in Christ's glory.
Our path to this glory is not always easy. It involves tribulation and suffering, but at the end of this road lies the glory of Jesus. Peter assures us in 1 Peter 5:10, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." These trials perfect, establish, and strengthen us because God has called us to share in His eternal glory.
Paul also speaks of this in Ephesians 1:18, praying that our hearts may be enlightened to understand the hope of our calling and the riches of God's glorious inheritance. This hope is tied to the glory awaiting us. In Colossians 1:27, he describes it as "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ’s presence within us is the foundation of our glorious hope.
In Romans 5:2, Paul says, "We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Titus 2:13 speaks of "the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This hope isn't just about the end times but about the glory that will be revealed in us. Paul in Romans 8:18 writes, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Our current struggles pale in comparison to the glory to come.
This glory is the result of Christ being formed in us. Paul expresses this in Galatians 4:19, where he speaks of laboring until "Christ is formed in you." Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory. We are being transformed into His likeness. Peter adds in 2 Peter 1 that we become partakers of the divine nature through Christ.
As we gaze upon the Lord's glory, we are being transformed into His image. Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians 3:18, saying, "We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This transformation is ongoing, changing us from glory to glory.
John assures us in 1 John 3:2 that "when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." Jesus Himself said in Luke 6:40, "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher." Discipleship is about becoming like Jesus, reflecting His character and nature.
Our journey with Jesus is like the light of dawn, shining ever brighter until the full day, as Proverbs 4:18 beautifully illustrates. As we walk with Him, we become more like Him, showing His light to the world. Ultimately, discipleship is about transformation. It is about God’s glory being revealed in us, bringing forth much fruit and glorifying the Father. This is the essence of our call to glory in discipleship—becoming more like Jesus and reflecting His love and grace in our lives.
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