Are you like me and can't get this song out of your head for the rest of the day when we sing it on Sunday morning? "We go from glory to glory to glory. We'll never be the same, never be the same. You take us higher and higher and higher. We're forever changed, forever changed." (listen here)
It's a memorable worship song, and the truths are ones you can stake your life on. I started thinking about what kinds of glory the song might be referring to. Perhaps we are all on a journey of glory—going from one to the next. Romans 8 gives us some direction on what these "levels" of glory may look like.
Glory Level #1--saved soul
(i.e. big theological word: justification)
At the point of salvation, our souls are immediately brought to life. We are saved, redeemed, bought by Jesus' blood and purchased for eternity. Romans 8:1-2 says: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." We are justified by grace. This is the glory of the saved soul.
Glory Level #2--changing soul
(i.e. big theological word: sanctification)
Between salvation and heaven, there should be a time of increasing glory. Romans 8:11 says: "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." Day by day we are made more into the likeness of Jesus, by His Spirit working within us. We are sanctified by grace. This is the glory of the changing soul.
Glory Level #3--perfected soul
(i.e. big theological word: glorification)
At the end of our time on earth and at the beginning of eternity, we will be radically changed to be made completely perfect, like we were always meant to be. Romans 8:18 says: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." All creation waits at the edge of its seat for the culmination and presentation of man's final glory. All praise to God! We will be glorified by grace. This is the glory of a perfected soul.
Each level of glory in our lives points to the Glorious Savior and the work of His glorious grace. Where do you see your own soul as you think about these different "levels"? Do you need to step into the glory of salvation? If already saved, are you daily changing and progressing toward ever-increasing levels of Christlike glory? Can you say that Jesus is more glorified in your life now than He was five, three or even one year ago?
Next time we sing this song together on a Sunday morning, let your mind dwell on these truths and Scriptures as you sing and let your heart cry: "Amen!" May I never be the same! May I continually go higher and higher! "Until we reach the day Love conquers everything, we'll cry an anthem, singing: holy, holy! And when we see that day we're standing face to face, we'll shout an anthem, singing: holy, holy!"
"...we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord..." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)