Where is the Glory of the Church?

          When Paul writes of the Glory of the New Covenant, in 2 Corinthians 3, is he talking about unknowable mysteries or about simple spirituality? In a few short verses (18), Paul uses the word and concept of “glory” twelve times. He uses it in reference to the passing glory of the Old Covenant, and to the all-surpassing glories of the New Covenant (vss. 7-8); he uses it in reference to the old ministry and as a demonstration of the new ministry of the Church (vs. 9); he uses glory as a corporate description (of the Church) and as a personal description (of the individual’s life) (vs. 17-18).

            Paul communicates the glory of the New Covenant to be all-encompassing. So, where is the glory? Where has it gone? Where is it in the life of the Christian? Where is the glory in the ministry of the New Covenant? Where is the Glory of the Church? I often ask where is the excitement for the things that God has done. Also, I ask where is the power of that early church today. This passage of Scripture makes it sound as though the glory of God should characterize the Church. Paul seems to illustrate it as being commonplace in the New Covenant. If this is so, where is the glory, and what do we have to do to get it back?

            In reality, it never left! God’s glory, presence, and power are still accessible to us! “Where the Spirit of the Lord is,” there is glory. Just as we have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit, we also have access to the glory of the Lord through the Spirit of God (Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 3:18). If we, those who belong to the Body of Christ, can choose to submit to the rule and reign of the Spirit, we will learn to access the glory of Christian faith. The glory of peace, promises, and power are still here for us; we simply need to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

- Dusty