The Divine Perspective: God's Glory and Our Free Will

In our previous exploration of the Divine Perspective God's Relational Heart, we established that God's heart is fundamentally relational. We saw how His desire for connection with humanity is evident from the creation account to His ongoing pursuit of His people. Building upon this foundation, we now turn our attention to two other crucial aspects of God's heart: His glory and His gift of free will. Understanding these concepts is equally essential for cultivating a truly Divine Perspective.

Sharing His Glory

Defining God's Glory

The concept of God's glory is rich and multifaceted. In Scripture, it's often associated with brightness (like the Shekinah glory), weightiness (a sense of importance and power), and splendor (majesty and beauty). But to grasp it more fully, we can think of God's glory as His "conceptual magnitude" - the immeasurable significance and impact of His being. It's the sheer weight of who He is, leaving an undeniable impression on those who encounter Him. Imagine a persona so impactful, so significant, that their presence is "burned" into your memory. This is a glimpse of God's glory, a transformative force that forever changes those who experience it, much like Paul's encounter on the road to Damascus.

Our Creation in His Image

The foundation for sharing God's glory lies in our creation in His image and likeness. Genesis 1:26 declares, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness," signifying a unique connection between humanity and the divine. While Hebrews 2:7 reminds us that we were made "a little lower than the angels" (quoting Psalm 8:5), this doesn't diminish our capacity to reflect God's glory. Rather, it highlights the incredible potential for transformation, as we are being "conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29), moving towards the full realization of that original design.

Glory, Purpose, and Destiny

This journey of being conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) is ultimately tied to our purpose and destiny. Solomon declares that the whole duty of humanity is to "fear God and keep his commandments" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus, who is "the image of the invisible God" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and "the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3), perfectly fulfilled this purpose. Therefore, our destiny is to increasingly reflect that same likeness of God, sharing in His glory as we become more like Christ.

The Gift of Free Will within His Purpose

The Breath of Life and the Capacity to Choose

Humanity's capacity for choice is intimately linked to God's unique interaction with us in the Garden. Unlike the rest of creation, God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life" (Genesis 2:7), an act that suggests a deeper connection and imparts a measure of His own intellect. Adam's naming of the animals exemplifies this, showcasing a capacity to think and categorize that mirrors God's own creative intelligence. This ability to think also implies the ability to choose, a reality made clear by God's command concerning the trees in the garden (Genesis 2:16-17).

God's Sovereignty and Foreknowledge

Herein lies a profound tension: the coexistence of human free will and God's omniscience. We possess the genuine ability to choose, yet God, in His infinite wisdom, knew beforehand the choices we would make, including Adam and Eve's fateful decision. This doesn't negate our freedom, but rather points to the mystery of God's sovereignty. He is the potter, and we are the clay (Romans 9:20-21), shaping us according to His purposes, even within the framework of our choices.

Trial, Opportunity, and Divine Purpose

Even with the knowledge of humanity's choice, God had a plan in place. The Fall in the Garden, though a consequence of free will, did not derail God's ultimate purpose. Rather, it set the stage for the necessity of Christ's coming, the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies, which occurred "when the set time had fully come" (Galatians 4:4). God's sovereignty works even through our trials and choices, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. This plan culminates in the manifestation of the sons of God, for which all creation eagerly waits (Romans 8:19). In the same way, our own trials and opportunities are not random, but woven into the tapestry of God's overarching purpose.

Make it Relatable

The concepts of God's glory and human free will can feel distant and theoretical. But they have profound implications for our daily lives:

Reflect

• How does understanding that you were created to reflect God's glory change the way you see your identity and purpose?
• How does the reality of free will, within the context of God's sovereignty, impact the way you make decisions and view your future?

Think about a time when you experienced a moment of awe, beauty, or profound significance. That's a glimpse of God's glory. We are called to carry that significance, that reflection of God's character, into the world.

And consider the weight of your choices. Each decision, big or small, contributes to the unfolding of God's plan in your life and the lives of others. Free will is not a license to live however we want, but a responsibility to align ourselves with God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Ultimately, embracing God's glory and wielding our free will with wisdom leads to a life of purpose, significance, and alignment with the Divine Perspective.

Embracing God's Glory and Free Will

As we build upon the foundation of God's relational heart, understanding His glory and His gift of free will is crucial for cultivating a Divine Perspective. God's glory, revealed in Christ and reflected in us, is the key to fulfilling our purpose and destiny. And His purposeful allowance of free will, even in the midst of His sovereignty, underscores the weight of our choices and their impact on His grand design. Therefore, let us embrace our calling to reflect His glory, walking in alignment with His will and trusting in His plan as we navigate the trials and opportunities of life.