created for glory II

Everyone desires to feel important and significant. Is this a problem or wrong in some way? 

Our need and desire for significance - worth - value - glory - is not a problem. It is who we were created to be and are. We were created for¹glory; to receive it, experience it, reflect it back to the Source, and out to others. It is fundamental to who we are and were designed to be. 

Why? Because God is all glorious (most valuable, significant etc.). To experience his glory, we must take part in it.

To take part in it, we must be like God i.e., designed to take part. We cannot partake of His glory if we do not have the capacity

to experience it ourselves i.e., we are in His image and created for glory; God's glory. 

By partaking of His glory (significance, value etc.), we experience our own. This is the only time we experience it in the way we are designed to. To seek glory in another way - outside and apart from God - does not truly satisfy us because it was not designed to satisfy us. Therefore, it leaves us empty and leads to our eventual harm and destruction. 

This is part of being in God's image. We are like God, i.e. designed to behold and enter into His glory and thereby experience our own. Our greatest sense of meaning and purpose (happiness) is obtained by participating in God in all His glory, not other creatures or created things.

This also explains why everything we do apart from God - i.e. actions that are not driven by the Spirit-Love of God - does not truly satisfy. They are attempts to gain or restore the glory we lost and so desperately desire - an attempt to gain a sense of meaning, significance, worth, purpose, love, etc. - through our finite, feeble, independent, self-sustaining efforts with things that are temporary.

We can never successfully (i.e. permanently) find satisfaction outside of God since He created us for infinite and ultimate glory, only found in and through Him.

A desire or longing for a sense of worth isn't our problem; our attempts to acquire it (i.e. " self-worth") apart from and outside of God are. An infinite need for worth-glory can never be satisfied by a finite source, i.e. by us and our use of created things (including other finite image bearers). 

Our need is infinite because God is infinite in love-glory. We were designed to be engaged with and for the infinite i.e. God. This is where we shine brightest - best - and have our greatest sense of joy, meaning, and purpose...worth. It is who we are meant to be and what we are designed for. Nothing else works long-term.

Fallen from glory...

To behold God's glory, we must be able to see his glory. To see it, God must reveal himself to us. Why? Because we have turned away from God, severing our relationship with him and all the infinite love and life that comes through that relationship/union. We are spiritually blind. 

We cut ourselves off from the Source by acting contrary to His loving direction and design and are now broken, ²empty, and unable to see God in all his glory -- though we can certainly see enough to know something significant about him Rom 1:19-20.

Still created for it...

Nevertheless, even in our present state of separation, we are still created for glory i.e. we long for it and still have the capacity to behold His glory, just like a person with cataracts still has eyes capable of seeing that have been blocked and blinded by an obstruction. God must do spiritual surgery and remove the obstruction -- our self-centeredness along with all its effects -- before we can clearly ³see again.

When the obstruction is removed, and our eyes are opened (unblocked and clear), we again began to see God in his infinite majesty, beauty, wisdom, power, and love (i.e. his glory). We find what our hearts have longed for all along, and we start to fill with light again and a sense of purpose and completeness. 

The more we focus on this most glorious God, the more we experience and participate in the glory we were originally designed to have. As we do, we increasingly are filled with his glory, and are transformed and shine it back to him and out to others.

2Co 3:18  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (the Source of our God-likeness) from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 

John 17:22  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one... - (Christ praying to the Father).

Rom 8:21  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 

1Co 13:12  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face (with Christ). Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears (when Christ is displayed to us in all his glory) we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is (i.e. in all His glory).

Mar 12:29  Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  31  The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 

For more on what God is like and how we are like him click here and here.  

For more on how we are hard-wired for glory click here. 

For more on how God's glory is our highest good click here. 

Is God's glory and our delight in conflict? Click here

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¹What would be the equivalent of the word glory today? If you look at and compare the word in the original Hebrew and Greek, it gives us an interesting picture. 

Hebrew 

H3519   כּבד    כּבוד        kâbôd  kâbôd   kaw-bode', kaw-bode'

Definition:

From H3513; properly weight; but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness: - glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able).

The Hebrew definition depicts glory in terms of amount or volume. 

Greek 

G1392  δοξάζω  doxazō

Thayer GDefinition:

1) to think, suppose, be of opinion

2) to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate

3) to honour, do honour to, hold in honour

4) to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendour

4a) to impart glory to something, render it excellent

4b) to make renowned, render illustrious

4b1) to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged

From G1391

From the base of G1380  δοκέω

dokeō; from δόκος dokos (opinion); to have an opinion, to seem: - deem (1), expect (1), has a mind (1), inclined (1), recognized (1), regarded (1), reputation (3), reputed (1), seem (3), seemed best (1), seemed fitting (1), seemed good (4), seems (3), suppose (5), supposed (2), supposes (1), supposing (4), think (18), thinking (1), thinks (6), thought (4).

The Greek depicts glory in terms of display or view. 

At first, it may not be apparent how glory - as defined in the Old Testament and New Testament - is connected. They seem to be very different. Where is the connection?

Originally Israel's economy was predominately agricultural, so the more weighty something was (or the greater the number, such as 100 camels versus 10) meant the more valuable, like 10 bushels are heavier and therefore of greater value than one or several talents of gold weighed more than one. The greater or more "copious" the amount, the heavier its weight and the greater its value. 

To show forth or manifest the dignity and worth of something in the NT was to put it on display. Shining a light on a copious pile of gold coins would reveal the greatness of its value. Or as the definition indicates, "...to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged..."

Within both definitions is the central concept of value-worth. That we are in God's image and therefore can experience and display God's great worth/glory makes us significant and of great worth. We behold his infinite worth and display it to others. In so doing, we also find our greatest worth and glory i.e. purpose and meaning. 

²it is not that we experience nothing of life without a conscious interaction with God, but we only experience limited aspects of physical and emotional life through the creation - i.e. by using our internal abilities/giftedness and the resources of the material world around us. But these are all finite (limited) and do not bring fullness of life we were designed for or seek. We are made for the infinite i.e. God himself, the source of love, life and all things. We can not find true and lasting meaning, purpose, and value (happiness) until we find and engage the infinite God.

³We see truly again, once our spiritual eyes are restored - regenerated. But we do not yet fully see. We will see fully when we see him face to face. 

What is an evil heart?

When we consider evil we usually think in terms of horrendous acts such as torture, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, genocide, and the like. 

But what about an evil heart? Is this something different than evil actions? It is - though they are connected. But unlike evil acts, an evil heart is far more common than we may think. 

This involves the why of our actions i.e. what is our motive for acting? Are we acting for the

¹glory of God or glory of self i.e. are we acting to advance God's rule (kingdom) or ²our own? We either do one or the other. These are opposite as well as opposed to each other. There is no middle ground. There can't be since seeking God's glory and ours, independent of God, are ³contrary to each other.

One of these two is the ultimate end we seek in every action - from the most grand of actions to the least significant - e.g. eating and drinking. 

What is at the heart of this difference and what enables us to live for God's glory?

We must behold God's glory (His infinite worth, importance, significance, beauty etc.) and partake of it in order to display it. If we do not, we will not experience it or be able to extend it to others. We are left to act only for inferior self-glory (self-exaltation), for we must experience ¹glory.  

Because we are created to know and partake of God - who is all glorious (most significant, important, and valuable) - but are absent this due to our rebellious distrust of God, we must experience ¹glory in some other way to function (even if it is inferior to the way we were designed to operate - i.e. in, by, and through God). 

To use an analogy, drinking from a toilet is better than dying of thirst...(at least initially, for we could die from disease if we continued doing so). Just like we must have food, air, and water, we must also know we have value-significance (glory) to exist much less function well - if not physically, at least spiritually and emotionally. 

If our experience of glory comes from the Source of glory - i.e. God - we function optimally and are most fulfilled and effective, as we were designed to be. If our sense of glory (worth) is ⁶self generated or achieved, we operate contrary to our design, break down, and eventually crash and burn at all levels, i.e. spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If we are not receivers of God's glory (as we are designed to be) we become only takers or grabbers of glory from somewhere other than God, the one true Source of life, love, and all things. 

To take glory is to dishonor and harm others. God first - the Source of glory - then our fellow image bearers. For we must take from others what they also ⁷need - i.e. their sense of dignity, importance, and worth - in order to do so.

This is the essence of an evil heart. It is the strategy we all engage in when not captivated by God's glorious love and beauty.

For a further discussion on how we are created for glory click here.

Are we actually rebels against God? For a further discussion click here.

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¹Glory - value, significance, importance etc., and a sense of these. God is most glorious and the source of all glory, we are designed to partake and participate in it.

2 Pet 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Some may wonder why or how not glorifying God is evil. Good question! 

If God is the Creator and sustainer of all good things, to deny this by living contrary to it (as if something other than God is the source of life) is a lie that results in actions with far-reaching and harmful consequences; actions that point to anything other than God as the source of true happiness (glory). To point people away from God by our seeking things other than God as the Source of life, love, and all things is to misleads them (whether intentionally or not). To mislead someone causes them harm. Causing others harm is the essence of evil. 

For a further discussion, click here.

²Some may wonder what is wrong with building our own kingdom? Isnt this a noble and worthwhile effort? 

Stated simply, we were created for much greater, more meaningful things. Building our own kingdom does not fit who we are (we only think it is because outside of God this is all we know and the best we can do). We are created to build kingdoms - grand ones at that -  but not exclusively for ourselves but for the King of kings. We are creatures in the image of God designed to  participate in Him. In doing so we find our greatest sense of meaning, purpose, and joy. 

But we must choose this. God does not force us to pursue Him, He lets us choose. 

Nevertheless enjoying Him above everything else is what we are designed for and where we find our greatest joy, meaning, and purpose. We are still a major part of the equation, but not the focus of it.

³They may be opposite but they are not separate. They are connected. How? When we glorify God we experience our greatest glory. But we do not honor-glorify God for this reason - i.e. our glory is not our focus but the result of focusing on God. We do so simply because God is all glorious and deserves all praise and all our praise. It is when we discover him as all glorious that we experience our greatest glory i.e. when we humble ourselves we are exalted...to find our life we must lose it...to live we must die etc. (This is a reoccurring theme throughout scripture, - and the essence of Christ's main teachings - sometimes referred to as the upside-down kingdom).

 

Experiencing our greatest glory (worth) is the fruit of recognizing God's infinite worth (glory). To see His glory, we must first die to efforts to try to obtain glory independent of Him. Obtaining our own glory independent of God's not only doesn't work, it is in opposition to God as well as to us.

⁴Because we were created for glory if we do not receive it from God we will seek it elsewhere. Otherwise, we give up and die.

⁵Seeking glory illegitimately is wrong for two reasons. 

1. It is contrary to our design and therefore what is best for us (i.e. it doesn't work long term). 

2. It is also contrary to who God is, who alone is all glorious (most valuable, significant, and worthy of all our affection and loyalty) and therefore, most worthy of our trust. 

To not recognize Him as He truly is dishonors Him. He alone deserves our worship (our highest regard for His infinite worth) and faithfulness.

⁶By using creation to get a sense of glory - value (both internally through the talents/abilities He's given us and externally through the natural resources all around us).

⁷except God, who is the cause and source of all dignity, worth, and greatness.

Crowned with glory and honor

Does God actually value us?  If so, why? After all, aren't we all a broken mess? Yes, we are! Yet he values us never the less. 

"For God so loved (valued) the world - i.e. His creation full of His creatures who bear His image - he gave..." something. 

And what did he give? That which is of infinite worth… His only begotten Son.

Is this not a very clear message of our infinite worth as well?

So how does this work? Why does He value us this much? 

Because He values Himself first. 

But what exactly does this have to do with us? 

He made us like Himself, with the capacity to appreciate and enjoy who He is. Not ¹unlike how the Father and Son - in, by, and through the Spirit - enjoy each other. 

Because we are like Him - in His image - this enables and gives us the capacity to value Him - i.e. to recognize His infinite worth in the same ¹way He does. He values that we are able to value Him; that we can participate and share in His infinite glory and the delight it brings Him as well as us. He values Himself imaged forth in us.

In ²addition, He delights in multiplying and spreading His glory/value to others through us. 

How is this possible?

Next to Him (and His Son) we too have the capacity - as His image bearers - to display his glory in a way no other being or thing can.

In ³Psalm 8:3-5 we are told...

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

    and the son of man that you care for him? 

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the

¹heavenly beings (Elohim) and crowned him with glory and honor.

Throughout scripture, we are told God is crowned with glory and honor, yet in this Psalm, we are told we too are crowned with glory and honor. The word here for heavenly beings is Elohim in the original Hebrew. This is a name used for God that is always plural (i.e. God is a community of love and relationship as Father, Son, and Spirit). It is the same word used in Gen 1:27  "So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of (Elohim) he created him; male and female he created them."  

Of all creation, only we have these characteristics -- glory and honor -- in common with God and are like him in this way. Nothing else, no other created being does.

Because God values Himself, he values His image in us and our being able to value him and display His value (glory) to others. This not only brings joy to more image bearers but also greater joy and glory to Him. 

Because he is glorious, He designed us to experience,  appreciate and share His glory.

For more on how we are hard-wired for glory, click here. 

For a further discussion on being created for glory, click here. 

For a discussion on how value and love are connected, click here.

For more on what God is like and how we are like him click here and here. 

For more on how God's glory is our highest good click here. 

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¹Qualitatively if not quantitatively.

²This also makes us valuable. This is the functional or practical part to our value. 

Being His image bearer is the basis of our intrinsic value. This is true simply because of who we are i.e. who God made us to be, not because of what we do. This has nothing to do with our actions but with our capacity to be filled with and pour forth God to others. This is a capacity created by God and given to us by Him - our Creator.

When we understand this it changes our view of every human being on the planet. Each of us is in God's image with the capacity to show forth God in a way that no other image bearer or anything else in creation can.

What we are able to do is because of who we are. We have this capacity to do, because of our intrinic value as a bearer of God's image.

To actually live according to this design is the basis of our existential or functional value. This is to live out who we are and were created by God to be. Living this out is our realized value, possible only because of our intrinsic value of being like God.

³Psalm 8:5

(ASV)  For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.

(CEV)  You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

(ERV)  But you made them almost like gods and crowned them with glory and honor.

(GNB)  Yet you made them inferior only to yourself; you crowned them with glory and honor.

(ISV)  You made him a little less than divine, but you crowned him with glory and honor.

Beatific Vision...what is that?!

The following is an attempt to capture the essence of the beatific vision with a much fuller, more technical discussion by Kyle Strobel on the link at the end. 

The beatific vision (first God's own, than ours) creates eternal and infinite delight (happiness) because that which is most beautiful and delightful (God) is beheld, engaged and communed with (participated in).

We experience this vision now by faith (through a glass darkly...from a distance). The greater our faith the more we experience it. But in eternity we will experience it directly (face-to-face). As God reveals more of himself now, our capacity to experience him in eternity also increases. 

The essence of the life of God is the giving and receiving of infinite glory/honor/love/ delight in and among the persons of the Godhead (Trinity). It is this foundational, primary, eternal, and infinite community of Glory/Beauty/Delight we too are designed for and called (offered) to participate in.

Our sharing and participation in this blissful vision and experience is our greatest joy/happiness. This, in turn, moves us to share this/him with others. As we do, our delight in him is further magnified and intensified.

As God's image-bearers, our joy is God's greatest joy (outside of the joy he has always known and knows within himself as Father, Son, and Spirit).

It is ours only because it is first his.

Our taking part in and sharing (passing along..." paying it forward" if you will) his glory to others throughout the world not only brings God honor/glory but also gives him great joy, as well as us.

God delights in our delight in him and our sharing that delight with others. This is what he does (i.e. he delights in himself and the sharing of this delight. He is our delight). Partaking and delighting in Him is what we are also designed for. In this primary way (among other ways) we are just like him (in his image). 

He does not wish to keep his glory to himself but desires it be multiplied throughout the earth, thereby increasing that glory - not by him becoming more glorious within himself - He is already infinitely glorious i.e. His glory cannot be taken away or added to - but in his glory being experienced by more people i.e. more broadly disseminated and in this sense multiplying his glory i.e. the experience of it among a greater number.

This is why he sends us and why we go.

All things are from him through him and to him. To him be the glory forever! Amen! (Rom 11:36) He is the Alpha and Omega; The Beginning and End (Rev_22:13).

Joh 16:14  He will glorify me -- display my infinite worth/beauty --, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine -- i.e. all that the Father has -- and declare it to you. 

Joh_17:5  And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory -- majesty, beauty, infinite delight/joy -- that I had with you before the world existed.

Joh 17:13  But now I (Jesus) am coming to you (Father), and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy (delight) fulfilled in themselves

Joh_17:22  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

Joh_17:24  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world (i.e. from all eternity past before anything was created there has been this dynamic, overflowing giving and receiving glory between the Father and Son in and by the Spirit. Christ came so we could participate in this in the same way they do).

A much fuller and more technical discussion of the beatific vision by Dr. Kyle Strobel is available here.

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Other posts related to beatific vision 

The importance and necessity of the Trinity 

The essence of God's life 

 
Thoughts on the Trinity 

Overview of Jonathan Edwards theology.

Why do the Father and Son love each other? 

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The following is a reproduction of Strobel's article with highlights and notes added by me. (endnotes are not included. For endnotes click here for the full article.