What does "God has shown us His glory" teach about God's nature? The Verse in Focus “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) Observing the Wording • “God…has shone” – the action is entirely His initiative. • “in our hearts” – the revelation is personal and internal, not merely external spectacle. • “light…knowledge…glory” – three linked ideas: illumination, understanding, and splendor. • “in the face of Jesus Christ” – God’s glory is inseparable from the person of His Son. What This Teaches About God’s Nature • Creator of Light – The God who spoke physical light into existence (Genesis 1:3) is the same God who brings spiritual light. • Self-Revealing – He does not hide in unreachable mystery; He desires to be known and takes the first step to make Himself known. • Personal and Relational – He shines “in our hearts,” indicating intimate involvement with individuals, not distant supervision. • Centered in Christ – All divine glory is concentrated “in the face of Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 1:3 confirms: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory…” • Gracious and Merciful – Revelation is an undeserved gift. We did not discover His glory; He displayed it to us (John 1:14). • Unchanging Holiness – The same glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) is now revealed in Christ—constant in purity, though shown in a new covenant context. • Transformative Power – Light entering the heart changes the beholder (2 Corinthians 3:18). His nature is not only to reveal but also to renew. Supporting Passages • Psalm 19:1 – creation declares His glory. • Exodus 33:18–23 – God’s glory proclaimed with His Name. • John 17:24 – Jesus desires believers to see His glory. • 1 John 1:5 – “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” How His Glory Touches Us Today • Salvation – The same light that dispelled primeval darkness now banishes spiritual blindness (Ephesians 5:8). • Ongoing Illumination – His Word, breathed by the God of light, continues to enlighten daily choices (Psalm 119:105). • Character Transformation – Gazing on Christ’s glory reshapes us “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). • Hope of Future Fulfillment – One day that glory will fill the new creation so completely that no other light source will be needed (Revelation 21:23). Because God has shown us His glory, we know Him as the Light-creating, self-revealing, Christ-centered, holy, merciful, and transformative Lord who delights to draw people into the brilliance of His presence. |
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