The Hope of Glory
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
How does one have hope of glory? Do those two words even go together? I know what hope is, but I am not so sure of the glory part. One definition from Google says that glory is: high renown or honor won by notable achievements.
Perhaps it isn’t the wishful thinking of children as they crawl into bed on Christmas Eve mentally reviewing their wish list. We often hope for a good doctor’s report or a dependable car or even success with a new recipe. This is the hope we all know and recognize. Sorry friends, but this isn’t true hope.
Our kind of hope is not worldly but is a deeply spiritual verb and it requires action on our part. What must we do? Well, being grateful is certainly a step in the right direction. Just as our Biblical ancestors hoped for the Messiah, we must hope for His return (which I believe is closer than we think).
So, what about glory? Some would say that glory is a place like heaven. Others might define it as a boasting of stardom—like a sports hero or musician. However, only God should ever get the glory; the honor won by notable achievements. He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, and there is no greater achievement!
If you put these two words together, the hope of glory, what comes to mind now? Could we call Him hope? He lives in our hearts and that is a high honor. Because we are His children, we can take part in the riches of this mystery.
There will always be a vagueness about this phrase. However, it is vitally important to give Him all the honor and glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me (Colossians 1:28-29).
We have the hope of glory, and it became ours when we became His.
Father God, thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to hold tight to this hope and remind us to always give You the glory that You deserve. AMEN.