In Romans 3:23 we read that “all have sinned, and fall short of the
glory of God.” Then grace comes, we are justified in the Beloved,
and in Romans 5:2 we read: “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
But hope is always future, for “hope that is seen is not hope.” This
hope of the glory of God, perfect conformity to his likeness, is the
same hope spoken of in First John. But in Romans five we have added
light on the part that growth in grace plays. “We also rejoice in
our tribulations [literally, that which presses down]: knowing that
tribulation worketh stedfastness, [literally, that which holds up under
the load]; and stedfastness, approvedness [literally, passing the
examination or the test]; and approvedness, hope [hope of the glory of
God, or the character of God]. Then follows this remarkable statement:
“and hope putteth not to shame.”
A future hope will always put to shame if there is no present guarantee
that the hope will be realized. If I announce that a certain rich man
is to give me a fortune of ten million dollars ten years hence, the
hope of this wealth will put to shame if there is nothing to show that
the millionaire will keep his word. My friends are likely to say, “We
shall wait and see.” But if the millionaire gives me as an earnest of
the expected inheritance a check for half a million dollars, my hope
does not put me to shame.
Now notice what follows God’s statement that this hope of his glory
puts not to shame: “because the love of God hath been shed abroad
in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.” The
perfect guarantee of my _future_ likeness to the Lord Jesus is the
miracle of my _present_ likeness to him. The love of God shed abroad
in my heart makes me like Jesus. The love of God shed abroad keeps out
hatred and all other manifestations of self, so long as the Spirit is
in control and can express his fruit. The Holy Spirit is the payment
down of this future glory. The Holy Spirit _hath been given_ unto us,
not will be; this is not a future hope. The Holy Spirit is our earnest.
“In whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:13, 14).
Make Use of Your “Earnest”!
In rejoicing in that glorious hope of what is to be brought to us at
the appearing of the Lord Jesus, let us take care not to despise the
present provision for victory and purity in the Holy Spirit. We long
for the redemption of our bodies, that we may be clothed upon with that
tabernacle which is from heaven, “that what is mortal may be swallowed
up of life,” and that we may have a body like his glorious body; but
meanwhile we have the firstfruits of the Spirit, and we rejoice in the
tribulations and all the things this body endures because it works out
in that growth which gives more and more of his own character (Rom.
8:23-26; 2 Cor. 5:1-5).
These passages in Romans and Second Corinthians just quoted make it
clear that the future hope refers particularly to the redemption of our
bodies, when we shall have a body like to the body of his glory. Every
Christian will receive this body and be conformed to his likeness; for
this, as is every part of our redemption, is all of grace. But while
all Christians will share the purity and the glory, not all Christians
will have the same _measure_ of glory. “There is one glory of the sun,
and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one
star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection
of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:41, 42). The enduring of tribulation, the
working out of stedfastness and approvedness,――growth in grace,――will
undoubtedly determine the degree of glory in that resurrection body.