We’re Bound for Glory (Whether we Like it or Not)

I recall singing Rose Tattoo’s “Bound for Glory” buoyantly and gallantly after every major step toward a grand final victory; the finest hour of any sporting club. The team atmosphere was electric, each team member, and the group as a whole, fusing onto the concept of the coming glory of victory. It’s a hard experience to match as far as an intrinsic, consuming joy is concerned.

When we receive glory we’re heaped with honour and praise and blessing--it’s intrinsically good.

But, glory is a dualist concept. Glory the noun is about something “glorious,” i.e. God in all his ‘glory.’ Then there’s the verb, i.e. giving glory or receiving glory e.g. praise. This discussion is about the former; the Glory that awaits those who love God.

This Glory is the manifest power, grace, strength, wealth and might of God that can’t be imagined or comprehended this side of eternity. Yet, it’s coming.

I’m sure we don’t very often think of the Glory coming to us; the glory of the life after this one. Looking at life through that eyeglass brings a whole new concept to this life—we’re creating history that has meaning--and that meaning has eternal significance.

Everything we do has significance, though we’re rarely aware of it, more’s the pity.

In the award-winning motion picture, Gladiator, Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus, led his contingent into battle with the charge, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity.” In a sense, the moments are never ceasing, even lasting. Every time we meet as a family we create history... every interaction in the workplace and in life; some of it will be talked about for days, weeks, years and generations to come. We write the pages of our lives every second.

In the very final analysis, we’re bound for Glory whether we like it or not. We will all come face to face with God. In the book of Revelation (14:6-13), John’s vision of the three angels proclaiming the Glory of God underscores both the coming blessing for those who believe in God (and advance his will) and the coming wrath for those who defiantly resist God, and his will.

We are painting that canvas right now, in the present time--by virtue of not only our decision for or against God, but also in our direct obedience and disobedience to him, regarding the numerous daily choices to love or reject love, and embrace light or darkness.

This message is for “every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” (14:6b NRSV) No human being is exempt. We’re all bound for Glory. Whether the Glory of God will bless us or shatter us is up to us; it’s our decision. And we have full power to make it.

We back our initial decision of belief with our thoughts, words and deeds. This is what makes belief (and unbelief) real. As James 2:17 (NRSV) says “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

Can we afford to not “fear God and give him glory”? (Revelation 14:7 NRSV)

How could we afford not to love our loved ones and others the best way we can now, while we have the opportunity? “Now” is here.

What we do in life, echoes in eternity. We will need to be prepared to account for everything we’ve said and done the moment we meet our great and holy Maker.

It’s food for continuous thought.

Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.