Chapter 11: The Glory of God in the Trinity
What Is Glory?
We talk about glory as if we understand it. We say:
“That sunset was glorious.”
“That song gave me chills — glorious.” “That victory was pure glory.”
But God’s glory is not just beauty, brilliance, or triumph.
It is the radiance of who He is — His holiness revealed, His greatness displayed.
The glory of God is not something He puts on. It’s not a spotlight He steps into.
It is His very essence shining out.
And this glory flows through the Father, the Son, and the Spirit — a glory they share and reflect to the world.
Glory in the Beginning
In the beginning, the glory of God filled the earth. The Father spoke light into darkness.
The Spirit hovered over the waters.
The Son, the Word, brought all things into being.
Creation itself was a theater of glory. The mountains shouted it.
The stars painted it.
Even humanity bore it — made in His image, crowned with honor.
Adam and Eve walked in the light of God’s glory — naked, unashamed, radiant with His presence.
Glory Lost
We hid from His light,
and the image in us became distorted.
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
We still long for glory —
but we chase it in ourselves, in others, in idols. And we always come up empty.
Glory in the Son
Then the Son came —
not as a blazing light but as a humble man.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory…” (John 1:14)
Jesus showed us the glory of the Father — not in royal robes, but in servanthood.
Not in dazzling power, but in perfect love. Not on a throne, but on a cross.
When the disciples saw Him heal, teach, and forgive, they glimpsed glory.
When they saw Him transfigured on the mountain, they fell on their faces.
When they saw Him rise from the grave, they finally began to understand.
Glory in the Spirit
But Jesus didn’t just come to show glory — He came to share it.
“The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:14)
The Spirit takes what belongs to the Father and Son and makes it real to us. He opens our eyes to see Jesus’ glory.
He transforms us to reflect that glory more and more.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
You were made to shine — not with your own light, but with His.
Glory at the Cross
The cross looked like shame — but it was glory.
Jesus said:
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” (John 13:31)
Why?
Because at the cross, God’s love, justice, mercy, and holiness all blazed forth at once.
The Father glorified His Son. The Son glorified His Father.
The Spirit glorified them both by raising Jesus in power.
Glory in the Church
Now, the glory of God fills His people.
Not because we are impressive — but because He is present.
“…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
When we love each other,
when we worship in Spirit and truth,
when we live holy lives in a dark world — we reflect His glory.
The Church is not perfect,
but it is a preview of what’s coming — a people being prepared to shine forever.
Glory Forever
One day, the glory of God will flood the earth again.
The final garden — the New Jerusalem — will need no sun, because His glory will be its light.
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23)
No more shadows. No more hiding.
We will see Him as He is — and we will shine like stars.
Why It Matters
Why does it matter to know the glory of the Trinity? Because you were made for glory.
Because every lesser glory you chase will leave you empty. Because the glory of God is not just a distant reality —
it’s already begun in you.
And because this is the story we are living:
In the Garden of Eden, we lost our shine.
At the cross and Pentecost, Jesus and the Spirit restored it.
In the final garden, we will glow with His glory forever. To live for His glory now is to start living eternity today.
Reflection
The glory of God is not yours to create — but it is yours to reflect.
The more you look at Him, the more you shine.
The more you walk with Him, the more the darkness retreats.
You don’t have to make yourself spectacular. You just have to turn your face toward His light.
Questions to Consider
✦ Where do you see glimpses of God’s glory in your life and in the world?
✦ How does knowing Jesus revealed glory in humility and suffering change how you define glory?
✦ What would it look like to let the Spirit transform you “from one degree of glory to another”?
✦ How does the garden-to-garden story help you long for the day when you will shine fully in His presence?
Prayer
Father, Son, and Spirit — All glory belongs to You.
Forgive me for chasing my own glory and forgetting Yours.
Open my eyes to see Your beauty, and make me shine with Your light. Transform me to reflect Jesus —
so that others may see Your glory in me.
Until the day Your glory fills the earth as the waters cover the sea, help me live for Your glory here.
Amen.
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