Page 14 - Christ in You - The Hope of Glory

upon mankind His glory and power, He must form in mankind His Spirit and character.
This is the work of this present age of man. God is seeking to form an image of His own holy
and righteous character within mankind that these men might be resurrected in glory.
Our current humble existence upon this fallen earth, struggling against the bonds of
this sinful flesh that encapsulates us, has been designed with perfect wisdom to provide the
fertile ground out of which a life in the image and likeness of God might emerge. Only those
who wage war against the passions and desires of the flesh, crucifying the body of sin that
enshrouds them, will find a new spiritual creature emerging when this body is left behind.
Like the eaglet struggling to emerge from the shell of the egg, and the butterfly struggling
to escape the cocoon, we must strive to overcome all that binds us within this body of death,
this sinful flesh. Only as we successfully wage this war will we find ourselves fitted for the
glory of the ages to come.

I John 3:2-3
We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just
as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself,
just as He is pure.

To those who would argue that they do not see the value of such a teaching as that
found here, I would point them to the words of the apostle above. He spoke of the future
hope of sharing in the glory of the Son of God as a glorified son of god. He then declared
that “everyone who has this hope... purifies himself.” Everyone. Perhaps the reason for
so much low living among Christians today is that they do not have a vision of the glorious
destiny set before them. Perhaps this is why so many are content to glory in the flesh, as vile
and wicked as it is. Having a hope for nothing beyond the mortal frame they now possess,
they become satisfied with a pursuit of carnal pleasure, living for the moment. These do not
see the far surpassing glory which God intends for them.
God is a Father. Fatherhood is central to His nature. He will not rest content until He
has sons who share His image and likeness in all aspects. These will share His Spirit. These
will be conformed to His righteous character. These will receive glory and power in long
ages to come. They will truly be as gods!
Raise your vision. Elevate your sights. God has far higher things planned for you than
you have previously imagined.

I Corinthians 2:9
Just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which
have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love
Him."