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Faith through the Fire, #2

God’s definition of good is different from the way we might typically define the term. We read Scriptures like Romans 8:28 and then we wonder why bad things happen to good people. Evidently, God sees good in different ways than we are accustomed to seeing it.

In Monday’s post, I discussed the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego as they refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. True faith prompted these young Jews to confront the challenge and confess the Lord to the very face of the world’s most powerful earthly ruler. They made the right decision, but what was the result?

Our definition of the word good would lead us to believe that God would reward these three young men by saving them from the fiery furnace. But God has bigger plans and a greater good in store.

Nebuchadnezzar, filled with rage at the audacity of these young men to disobey him, commanded his men to heat the furnace seven times hotter than it was usually heated (Dan. 3:19). He had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego bound and thrown “into the midst of the burning fiery furnace” (Dan. 3:21). He was so angry that he didn’t even take the time to strip them of their clothes. Daniel 3:21 says they were bound “in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their outer garments.”

It seems that Nebuchadnezzar’s furious command caused his mighty men of valor to get too close to the dangerous, “exceedingly hot” flames of the furnace (Dan. 3:22). As they threw in the three Jews, the fire killed Nebuchadnezzar’s men.

What happened next shocked everyone.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” (Dan. 3:24).[/box]

As they peered through the flames, they counted not three, but four men walking around in the midst of the fire. That which had bound them was now loosed, and the fourth individual looked like one who was sent by God.

This past weekend, Emily and I were able to attend a congregational retreat for the Riggs church of Christ in Chapel Hill, TN. It was a cold Saturday morning to be outdoors, so the fire pit was a popular place to be. The smell of the smoke from the fire lingered on our clothes long after we left the retreat. When Nebuchadnezzar called the three men from the furnace, they came out and looked as though they hadn’t even been around a fire. Their “hair … was not singed nor were their garments affected” (Dan. 3:27). This one is my favorite detail: “the smell of fire was not on them.” God doesn’t do anything half-way, does He? He is truly an awesome God.

Is my faith like the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego? It’s one thing to refuse to bow in a crowd of people who bow around you. It’s another thing to refuse to bow to the face of the one who has commanded that everyone bows before him. It is still yet another thing to refuse to bow and to allow the enemy to bind you and throw you in a furnace. These men trusted in God. He works all things for good.

That’s why I say that God’s definition of good must be different from the way many of us define it. We would not consider losing our lives to be good, yet these faithful three said that if God chose not to deliver them from the death of the furnace, then “let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Dan. 3:18).

True faith confounds the enemy. They won’t understand why we do what we do, but it makes perfect sense to us: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

True faith confirms the promises. The most powerful man in the world had God’s people punished for not bowing down to his image, but God was still on the throne that day, and He demonstrated that through this incredible miracle. God doesn’t work in miracles today (John 20:30-31; 1 Cor. 13:9-11), but that doesn’t make His promises less true, nor does it make His Word less authoritative.

Note that God did not deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego from the fire, but in the fire. And God will deliver us, too. He is still “able to deliver us” from our fiery trials today (Dan. 3:17).

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:7).[/box]

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Faith Through the Fire, #1

He was the most powerful man in the world – and he had a hot temper. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t respond well when someone failed to do whatever he commanded them to do. In Daniel 2, the king threatened to kill the Chaldeans by cutting them in pieces and making their houses an ash heap (Dan. 2:5); all of this if they could not tell him what he dreamed the previous night. Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t playing around.

When he decided to erect a golden image and commanded that everyone in his kingdom worship it, he threatened them with their lives.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace (Dan. 3:4-6).[/box]

You know what happened: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego didn’t bow. They were brought before Nebuchadnezzar and given a second chance to worship the image, but refused to do so to the king’s face! “Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury” (Dan. 3:19). He commanded his men to heat the furnace seven times hotter than it was usually heated, then he commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego be thrown in.

This is not a story for the faint of heart. Notice three types of hearts that are represented here.

First, notice the heart of the king (3:1-3). Many scholars believe that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (back in chapter two) got him thinking about his kingdom. God enabled Daniel to see into the future and to tell Nebuchadnezzar that the mighty Babylonian Empire wouldn’t stand forever. Perhaps the image he had made in chapter three is an image of himself. Maybe he called all of his kingdom’s dignitaries to Dura to test their loyalty to the Empire and to him as the king. It seems that his heart is filled with pride coupled with fear. His faith is an egotistical faith in himself.

Second, look at the heart of the people (3:4-7). No one is faithless. Everyone believes in something, though they may not possess the right beliefs (cf. John 8:24, 32; 17:17). The key is the object of one’s faith. Where were the masses when the instruments played? They were on the ground, of course! They feared for their lives. They knew the consequences of not bowing before the image, so they bowed: “all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (Dan. 3:7). When we put our faith in men, we are sure to be disappointed (Job 14:1). When we base our religious actions on any degree of peer pressure (including governmental pressure), we will find our faith to be fickle and our lives to be pointless.

Finally, look at the hearts of the three Jewish men (3:8-12). They knew God’s commandments.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. (Exo. 20:2-5).[/box]

They were not willing to compromise their beliefs – even with the threat of death. They boldly confronted the challenge and confessed the Lord. They knew that He could deliver them through whatever means were in accordance with His will for them (Dan. 3:13-18). They trusted God and they obeyed Him.

If your faith that strong? Now there’s a difficult proposition. Yet, why can’t our faith be as strong as theirs was? The fact that the age of miracles has ceased doesn’t mean that our faith should be any less strong than the people in the hall of faith (Heb. 11; cf. John 20:30-31).

It seems that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had accessed a two-fold key to strong faith: true trust in God and in His Word, and relentless obedience to His commands.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Psa. 119:11).[/box]

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Hi, I’m Robert. Sometimes I run this website.

Hi! My name is Robert Hatfield, and I (am supposed to) run this website, roberthatfield.net.

I haven’t quite mastered the regularity of blogging that I hope to achieve one of these years. I’m nowhere near the caliber of my lovely wife, Emily or of my friend Chris. I’m blessed to be a part of lots of things, some of which have been more demanding as of late than others. I’m excited to tell you about a few of them now.

  • Gospel meetings – It was my pleasure to travel to Wildwood, FL to preach in a gospel meeting. The week was one of those highlight weeks thanks to the kind hospitality of the Christians there. What a great church!
  • Increased TV involvement – I have been asked to host a new segment in the great program Fabric of Family. My segment is called the Family Tech Tip of the Week. Each week, I take two minutes to highlight a piece of software, a service, or a moral issue related to technology and the family. Several of these segments have already been shot and they will air shortly. Fabric of Family airs each Sunday morning on WAFF (NBC) out of Huntsville (I think that’s around 6:00-7:00 AM). The viewership is consistently increasing with stations in Chattanooga markets and other places now carrying Fabric. You can also see it on GBN and on the Fabric of Family YouTube page.
  • The work of a preacher – As a preaching servant of the Lord, I am involved every day in the greatest work on earth. Classes that had adjourned for the summer are now back in session (I teach a ladies bible class each Wednesday morning at 10:00 on Colossians. Also, I have returned to the teen class on Wednesday nights. We’re presently studying Ecclesiastes.). Plans have continued to take shape for exciting programs that will promote spiritual growth and unity among the church at East Hill. This and so much more describes the type of things that I get to do each day. To God be the glory for all that I can do to serve Him.

This website is important to me. As you can read on my about page, I do not do this in an effort to gain popularity. I do not blog because I think anyone is particularly interested in reading all of the silly little details of my life. I do it to contribute what I can for the cause of Christ to the online universe. It is all done with the prayer that God will be pleased.

Thanks for popping in! I have several things in store for the upcoming days and weeks, the Lord willing. Hope you’ll join me.

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World Wide Weekend: September 14, 2013

Here’s a batch of links that I’ve enjoyed lately:

  • BLOG: “Proper Online Communication for the Christian” by Adam Faughn – Our Christianity should remain with us at all times, even in our virtual conduct.
  • BLOG: “Eight Last Words of a Dying Church” by Chad Landman – Chad considers eight little words that reflect a harmful attitude and produce Christians who are spiritually dead. Spiritually dead Christians make for a spiritually dead congregation (consider the church at Sardis, Rev. 3:1-6). “Revive us again!”
  • BLOG: “Five Different Ways Leaders Respond to Anonymous Critical Letters” by Thom Rainer – Offering criticism – even constructive criticism – through anonymous letters is not God’s plan. Christians, don’t send anonymous critical letters. Instead, do it Christ’s way (Mat. 18:15-17). For those of us who have received anonymous letters from time to time: let’s learn how to deal with them in a way where the work of the Lord (which is so much more important than a discouraging note from someone who won’t even identify themselves) is not hindered.
  • VIDEO: “Who is God?” by Kyle Butt – Who is God? People have asked this question for years. Some people say God is a life force, others say that He is a personal Being, and still others say that God is only made up to control people using religion. This video from WVBS gives some answers.
  • VIDEO: “Where is God?” by Kyle Butt – Can God be seen with a microscope or maybe a telescope? Is He high on a mountain top or deep within the ocean? There is no single, physical place that God resides in our Universe. Learn more in this next installment of the WVBS series.

[highlight]Tomorrow is the Lord’s day.[/highlight] Are you preparing right now to worship God? If you’re in the area, we’d love to have you worship with us at East Hill!

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[TECH] iPhone 5c and 5s Revealed Yesterday

The brand new iPhones have been unveiled, and those of us who are ready (and needing) to upgrade are anxiously awaiting their official arrival in stores and online. As the rumors speculated, we have two new models of iPhones: the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s. Let’s highlight some features of each.

[highlight]iPhone 5c[/highlight]

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Price: $99 (16GB) with contract // $199 (32GB) with contract

Unlocked (contract-free) price: $549 (16GB) // $649 (32GB)

Available for pre-order on Friday, September 13.

[divider]

Apple calls the iPhone 5c the “most colorful iPhone yet.” It struts an all-new, redesigned body that is available in five colors: blue, green, pink, yellow and white. Many of the 5c features are carried over from the iPhone 5, such as …

  • … the four-inch retina display
  • … the A6 chip (processor)
  • …the 8 megapixel iSight camera

But there are several new features to the 5c that separate it from the iPhone 5. First, the obvious: the colors. Apple “unapologetically” fashioned the 5c out of plastic, which, they say, lends itself to an all-new feeling when you hold it in your hand. It has a smooth outer shell that is reinforced with a steel frame.

Also in the external category, Apple is really pushing their new cases for the 5c. Apple has designed six cases to fit the 5c in a variety of colors: black, white, pink, yellow, blue and green. The cases feature the Apple logo in its usual spot on the back of the iPhone. There are also little holes on the back (under the Apple logo) that show your iPhone 5c’s color through. They sell for $29 each.

Internally speaking, the 5c claims 10 hours of LTE browsing time, 10 hours of talk time, and 10 hours of video playback time on the battery. It also has up to 13 LTE bands, which Apple claims will increase download and upload speeds from the device. While the rear-facing camera on the 5c is the same as the one of the iPhone 5, Apple has included an HD front-facing camera on the 5c for Facetime calls.

The iPhone 5c ships with the new iOS 7, which is a total overhaul of all things iOS.

 

[highlight]iPhone 5s[/highlight]

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Price: $199 (16GB) with contract // $299 (32GB) with contract // $399 (64GB) with contract

Unlocked (contract-free) price: $649 (16GB) // $749 (32GB) // $849 (64GB)

Available on Friday, September 20 online and in stores.

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The iPhone 5s is the same physical size as the iPhone 5 (part of being in the “tock” cycle of the iPhone release this year). As of this model, it is available in three “expressions:” silver, space gray (previously known as black), and gold.

Here are the other features in a nutshell:

TouchID is fingerprint recognition software that allows you to use your fingerprint as your password on your iPhone 5s. You simply touch the home button (which is now equipped with censors) and your phone unlocks. Additionally, TouchID can be used when you’re downloading apps, books, videos, or music from Apple’s stores, which means you no longer have to enter your iTunes password every time! I’m super excited about this feature, provided it is reliable enough to count on. As a side note, Apple promises that your fingerprint information is never backed up to iCloud or sent to Apple’s servers. It remains safely on your iPhone and nowhere else.

The iPhone 5s touts the A7 chip. Apple claims that the A7 is up to two times faster than the A6 (which is the chip that’s still in the 5c). The A7 makes the iPhone 5s the first-ever 64 bit smartphone. The brand new iOS 7 is optimized for 64 bit processors, which should help the 5s to feel fast and smooth in rendering graphics. Apple introduced the new M7 coprocessor, which deals with things like the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. With the M7 handling these smaller tasks instead of the main processor, we should see improved battery life.

Apple improved the iSight camera (the rear-facing camera) in the 5s. It has a 15 percent larger sensor, a wider aperture (f2.2), a special flash that Apple calls the True Tone flash to better match skin tones in low light, burst mode (which snaps 10 photos per second), and even slo-mo video!

The 5s also has the 13 LTE bands (see above, under the 5c features) and ships with iOS 7.

Apple has also designed cases especially for the 5s. There are six (made of leather): brown, beige, black, yellow, blue and (PRODUCT) RED. They are $39.00 each.

A little one-more-thing added bonus for the iPhone 5s is that it ships with iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers for free!

 

QUESTION: What do you think of the iPhone 5c and 5s? Are you getting one? Do you think Apple’s announcements are as exciting as they used to be? Why or why not?

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A Workweek Devotional

We all get it – Mondays are challenging. I thought we might could use a few reminders to get our workweek off on the right foot (unless you’re a lefty, then maybe this will get you off on the left foot??).

1. Today is a gift. It is the Lord’s will that we saw at least this much of our Monday.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:14-15).[/box]

The gift of a new day has been given to us by a patient, loving God, who wants everyone to be saved.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).[/box]

2. Today is a blessing. The Bible says that God’s blessings are new every morning – even on Mondays!

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lam. 3:22-24)[/box]

3. Today is an opportunity. It’s your opportunity to be the salt of the earth, that is, to make the earth a better place (Mat. 5:13). It’s your opportunity to be a light (Mat. 5:14-16). Today is your opportunity to tell someone about Jesus (Mat. 28:19-20). It’s another opportunity to please God by your devotion to Him (Eccl. 12:13).

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:14-15).[/box]

4. Today is about God. I know that yesterday was the Lord’s day. That’s a day of worship to God (John 4:23-24). It’s a day of remembrance of our Savior and His great sufferings (cf. 1 Cor. 11:23-27). However, I think we did something wrong yesterday if we weren’t motivated all the more to live right today (By the way, the preacher, the song leader, prayer leader, or Scripture reader isn’t necessarily to blame if you didn’t come away from worship refreshed and renewed. That’s a very personal thing). Everything exists to bring God glory (Rev. 4:11).

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. … And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Col. 3:17, 23-24).[/box]

May He be pleased today by our stewardship of His blessings.

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Photo Credit: Marilyn Peddle on Creative Commons

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Announcing My PTP Live Blog

Beginning Friday, you’ll find me in Ballroom C at Polishing the Pulpit, listening to incredible lessons by some of the greatest preachers alive today. The reason I’ll be in the same place for the whole week is because I help record the lessons on DVD, and my assignment each year is in Ballroom C. I enjoy being there because it’s the host of many of the preachers track lessons. I can’t wait to be challenged and encouraged again this year and to bring back many, many great ideas that I can implement in my own work in the Lord’s church.

I want you to come with me to PTP. But I know that it’s impossible for everyone to get to go every year. That’s why I’ve decided to do a live blog this year during PTP!

What’s a live blog? Wikipedia defines it as follows:

[box type=”shadow” ]A liveblog is a blog post which is intended to provide a rolling textual coverage of an ongoing event, similar to Live television or live radio.[/box]

In other words, you can come here to RobertHatfield.net and click on the “PTP Live Blog” button at the top of the page (newly added as of today), and you’ll find all of my updates from PTP. You can also access it by going to ptp.roberthatfield.net. I’ll be posting pictures, quotes, and more each day live from the event so you can enjoy PTP with me, and, hopefully, so you will come in person next year!

Also, since I’ll be away from my normal routine, the live blog will be the only postings from RobertHatfield.net beginning this Friday until the following Saturday. I look forward to sharing these experiences with you and I hope it’s something you’ll like, too!

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[TECH] Should I Wait for the New iPhone?

We now know that Apple will make an announcement on [highlight]Tuesday, September 10, 2013[/highlight]. In recent years, Apple has held a fall announcement that is all primarily about iOS. The eyes of tech journalists are on Apple as everyone anticipates the latest evolution of the iPhone. Rumor mills are kicking into high gear with alleged “leaks” and other speculations. It’s an exciting time for a geek!

So you’re eligible for an upgrade and you love the iPhone. Should you wait or should you go ahead and buy the year-old iPhone 5? My personal opinion is to wait. You’re so close! Even if you’re not interested in the latest and greatest technology, the iPhone 5 will undoubtedly lower in price once the new phone is released, which would be an easy way to save $200.

What do we know about the next iPhone? Honestly, not a lot. Here are a few rumors that seem to be rising to the top.

1. It will probably be called the iPhone 5S. Apple has historically followed a “tick-tock” cycle in releasing new phones. That is, every other year brings a new form factor and new major features to the iPhone (iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5). I’m expecting this year’s model to be the iPhone 5S. I believe it will look almost identical (if not entirely identical) to the iPhone 5. Expect internal rather than obvious, external changes.

2. Maybe an iPhone 5c? I’m not sure about this one. The rumor mill reports that Apple is planning to unveil a cheaper line of iPhones next month, called the iPhone 5c. The folks over at iMore.com report that the 5c would feature “colorful shells and price and design that’ll appeal to price-sensitive shoppers, differentiate from the premium models, and get Apple off the dock and 4-inch screen faster.” Makes sense to me. Evidently, Apple contemplated the idea two years ago, when the iPhone 4S was released, but decided not to ship it. More color options and a cheaper price would definitely appeal to the masses who have been on the fence about which smartphone to buy, and this translates into more iOS users for Apple. I’ll let you be the judge on the 5c. I guess we’ll see on September 10.

3. Golden iPhone? I’m seeing consistent reports that Apple may add a golden option to the black and white iPhone colors. Weird? Different? Yes and yes. But I guess anything is possible.

4. Fingerprint Censor. Some of the alleged leaks have shown parts that may be a fingerprint censor for the 5S. Perhaps this will be an additional secure unlock feature?? Some have even speculated that a fingerprint censor may be the only secure lock / unlock feature (instead of the four-digit password).

5. Miscellaneous improvements are for sure. Otherwise, what’s the point? Perhaps we’ll see an iPhone 5S model with more hard drive space (much like the quietly released 128GB iPad). I’m hoping for Siri improvements (something to give the new Moto X a run for its money). Finally, the iPhone 5S will definitely be the most suitable iOS device to run the brand new iOS 7, which is going to be a fun, new experience all the way around.

So, when can you expect the iPhone 5S (and maybe 5c) to be available? If Apple follows it’s patterns, we can look for the announcement Tuesday, September 10, followed by a launch that Friday, September 13. This would put the release of the new iPhone for Friday, September 20, 2013 (again, judging by previous year patterns).

Question: Are you waiting for the new iPhone? What other changes do you expect to see? What do you wish Apple would do to improve the iPhone /  iOS experience?

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Hidden Christians?

When Paul wrote the epistle to the Colossians, they had seen better days. An earthquake had destroyed their edifices, leaving life forever changed and unsettled. There was no such thing as normal anymore. On top of that, they were about to face some major religious persecution by unbelieving Judaizers and Gnostics. These brethren needed encouragement and exhortation. So, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote the little letter to the Colossians, Christians who lived in a world that did not understand who they were or what they were doing. Can you relate?

I love the way Paul described their Christianity:

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:3-4).[/box]

Christians died, but they are not dead. That these Colossian Christians had died is a fact that Paul already established (Col. 2:20). In fact, he said they had been buried (2:12). Paul said they died with Christ, were buried with Him in baptism, and were raised with Him. A Christian’s life is far from dead. Christ has given us life! In fact, He has become my life (Col. 3:4). Notice that, while this relates to eternal life in heaven, this life specifically refers to living the Christian life here, in preparation for the heavenly home. Yes, Christians died with Christ, but in so doing they connected with the very Source of spiritual life (John 1:4; 14:6; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21; 4:13) and the One in Whom eternal life rests (John 4:14; 11:25; Titus 1:2; 3:7).

Christians’ lives are hidden, yet glorious. How can you hide something as beautiful as a life that has been transformed by the great Life-Giver? Well, in what way is a Christian’s life “hidden?” Some assert that Paul is talking about their salvation and that it is secure to the extent that these Christians will never fall (Barnes, a Calvinist, is among those who so profess). While God promises security for our souls (2 Tim. 1:12), that security is based upon our continued obedience (1 John 1:7). Otherwise, why does John warn Christians to “keep [themselves] from idols” (1 John 5:21)? Why does Jude exhort us to “keep [ourselves] in the love of God” (Jude 21) if we can’t fall back into sin? Why would Peter warn us to watch out for Satan if our souls are kept from falling away (1 Pet. 5:8)? This isn’t what Paul was talking about when he said Christians’ lives are “hidden with Christ in God.”

We see the answer when we consider verses three and four together. There’s coming a time when Christ will appear (to show or to reveal oneself to someone), and, when He does, Paul said that we (Christians) will also appear (same word) with Him in glory. [highlight]Here’s the point: right now, the world doesn’t understand us. We have died, yet we live, but we do not live for ourselves anymore, we live for Christ (cf. Gal. 2:20). A world that rejects Christ just won’t get that. But one day, when Christ comes again, the world will understand (Phil. 2:10-11; Rom. 14:11). God’s people will appear with Him in glory.[/highlight] Lightfoot says,

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]The veil which now shrouds your higher life from others, and even partly from yourselves will then be withdrawn. The world which persecutes, despises, ignores now, will then be blinded with the dazzling glory of the revelation (St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, J. B. Lightfoot, p 210).[/box]

Inspiration says is best:

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).[/box]

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:17-18).[/box]

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Phil. 3:20-21).[/box]