We shall be like him (Joy in the Journey)

All sorts of thoughts and questions swirly around the ultimate destiny of Christians - the nature of heavenly life, what life on a renewed earth will be like, how we will experience the relationships we have enjoyed in this world, the nature of life in a resurrection body, and so many more. One thing, though is certain: the Bible says that “we shall be like him”, like our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 3:2).

Of course, it remains beyond our ability, now, to understand all that will mean. But there are some things we can begin to piece together - and it is right to do so, since John says that the prospect of being like him ought to make an impact upon us.

Becoming like the One who has the Spirit without measure must mean that the fruit of that same Spirit will finally be fully realised in us and will be seen and experienced in its mature ripeness. Like him in love and joy and peace; like him in patience, kindness and goodness; like him in faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It hardly seems possible and yet it will be so.

The One who is love to the very core of his being, love that delights to give itself to and for others, will be reflected in us, will be realised in us. We will no longer be capable of hurting others, of harming what God has made. Instead we will become channels of blessing, showered in mercy by the Lord upon others. We will ever live to bless the Lord in worship and to bless others in Christ-reflecting love and service.

How will this be so? What will cause the final leap from our present stutters and stumbles to such perfection? “We shall be made like him for we shall see him as he is.” No longer a veil between; no partial glimpses of our majestic Saviour. No longer will our eyes need to be shielded from the brilliance that is brighter than the sun. His light will not consume us but conform us to his own likeness.

No wonder there are times when heaven itself is stunned into silence. The dust of earth - this dust - mangled by sin, will one day reflect without any distortion the beauty of the Lord Jesus.

Not only does that lead us to bow our heads in a kind of wordless wonder, it also ought to give increased vigour to our desire now to be what we shall be then: Everyone who has this hope in Jesus purifies himself, even as Jesus is pure. The prospect of bearing uncreated light in our own souls to such a degree comes with a purifying heft, lodging a prayerful longing in our hearts to never again grieve the Spirit of holiness by whom we were sealed for the day of redemption.

************

With harps and with viols

There stand a great throng
In the presence of Jesus,

And sing this new song:

    Unto Him who hath loved us
    And washed us from sin,
    Unto Him be the glory forever! Amen.

All these once were sinners,
Defiled in his sight,
Now arrayed in pure garments
In praise they unite:

He maketh the rebel
A priest and a king,
He hath bought us and taught us
This new song to sing:

How helpless and hopeless
We sinners had been,
If He never had loved us
Till cleansed from our sin:

Aloud in His praises
Our voices shall ring,
So that others believing,
This new song shall sing:

(Arthur Tappan Pierson, 1837-1911)