November 8
The Glory Conferred on Believers
The Christian's Daily Treasury"And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."—John 17:22.
THE believer may contemplate these words, and see how large his possessions and how glorious his prospects are; the sinner may read it, and observe how much he loses by being an enemy to the Son of God.
THE GLORY CONFERRED. The glory here spoken of is not that which essentially belongs to Christ; the meaning is, that he has given to his people an interest in that glory which God gave him as Mediator, as their head and representative. There is in it a resemblance, though not a perfect conformity.
God bestowed on him glorious gifts. The gifts and graces of the Spirit were imparted to him without measure. The same gifts and graces of the Spirit Christ gave to his disciples. "Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." As the brightness of the sun is reflected in a dewdrop, so the glory of Christ, the Sun of righteousness, beams in the humblest Christian.
God conferred on him glorious titles. He is designated the Prophet, Priest, and King of his Church. Believers are called prophets, because, by divine illumination, they know the will of God; they are made priests unto God, to offer up spiritual sacrifices; they are called kings, because the kingdom of God is within them.
God insured him a glorious conquest. Christ was supported by the Father in the performance of his work; and the Christian derives from the Saviour a sufficiency of grace. Christ obtained a complete victory over all his foes, and his people shall be more than conquerers.
God gave him a glorious resurrection. Death had not long to triumph over his prey; the grave had not long to retain her prisoner. How glorious shall the believer's resurrection be! "He shall change this vile body, and fashion it like unto his own glorious body."
God set before him a glorious reward. He had a glorious kingdom, a glorious sceptre, a glorious throne, and a glorious crown. In these glories, his people will participate. Thus Paul speaks of the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. What advantages do Christians derive by virtue of their interest in Christ? If they suffer with him, they shall be glorified together.