Christ has prepared a place for us of such magnitude and magnificence that for years, I could only agree with the words in the Bible, but not really grasp or experience them in fullness. That is, until I discovered the justification, glorification and union in Christ found in Romans 5: 1-5 and Romans 8: 29-39. Honestly, these three concepts are evident all throughout the New Testament, but for simplicity and introduction, these two passages of Scripture will suffice for reference.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5, NKJV).
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:29-39).
Justification is the state we experience solely as a result of Jesus’ resurrection. When we believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we have His righteousness imputed to us. Righteousness by faith is the same as justification by faith. Justification is our adoption into sonship.
Glorification is the future we have been promised in Christ. It is our inheritance in Him and it is our hope. It’s this hope that leads us to declare and confess our hope in the presence of God. It is in Christ and cannot be lost or stolen. It was given to us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Glorification is our inheritance with Christ.
Union is inseparable inside of love. This is the love that God has for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. We were created to be loved, we were created for love, and we are dependent on being loved. In Christ, we are loved as Christ is loved by the Father. We are to abide in the love of Christ and can call forth this love in every situation and circumstance we might find ourselves experiencing. This is how we become more than conquerors through Him who loved us!
Today, we can access all these truths through prayer and meditation in His presence. We can enter boldly by the blood of Christ (our justification) into the Holiest of Holies and enjoy our confession of hope (our glorification) because He is faithful who promised. And we can rest inside His love as the Holy Spirit pours out the love of God into our hearts.
It isn’t hard, but it does take practice, and with practice comes perfection. We are perfectly loved as we discover justification by the Father through faith; glorification with Christ in hope; and union in love by the Holy Spirit. Faith, hope, and love. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Justification, glorification, and union. Go ahead, try them on…They are our wedding dress!
