To Him Be the Glory

BY Kaitlin Wernet

Can’t we all just agree that cookie dough is best when consumed raw? (Yes, I am aware of those four little words—“do not consume raw”—on the package that would say otherwise.) I don’t know if it’s the taste of sheer rebellion or the perfectly gooey texture, but regardless, I am never totally convinced that sacrificing the delicious and immediate taste of cookie dough is worth the patience and distress of waiting for the dough to actually become warm cookies.

Perhaps the English proverb “Have your cake and eat it too” should apply to any type of baked good. We want to experience the good thing that’s available now and still have the good thing to come later. Thankfully, Peter’s letters don’t ask us to make that choice. Unlike the cookie dough warnings, Peter encourages us to savor our relationship with God both now and forever, because that’s how much time we’ve been given to enjoy our Savior.

God’s economy is different from anything we’ve ever experienced here on earth. His understanding of time and other resources is complete, whereas ours is limited. But being His children, we don’t need to worry about saving or storing up His goodness in order to make sure they will last another day. Nor do we need to feel ashamed for fully enjoying God and His blessings too much; His glory is consistently and eternally abundant.

Now, we await the day when all His promises will come to fruition (Romans 15:4). Throughout eternity, we will have the privilege of learning more about the One who made those promises to us.

Now, as an act of submission to a loving God, we attempt to live up to our calling as people who are already spotless in His sight, fully loved and wholly accepted (2 Peter 3:16). Throughout eternity, we will enjoy the righteousness Christ has won for us. Sin will be a thing of the past.

Now, God’s ways appear to be hidden from us, but we can trust that they are always better than our understanding (Isaiah 55:8–9). And throughout eternity, we will see Him face to face and know Him as He truly is (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Now, we are called to be on guard, to be sober-minded, so we will not be led astray. Peter instructs us to do this as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17–18). Throughout eternity, we will reign with Him.

Even as we prepare for God’s coming kingdom, He has given us “everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (1 Peter 1:3). As he concludes his second letter, Peter reminds us of this truth that is everlasting: God’s own glory and goodness are ours to receive, enjoy, and share, from now until eternity. To Him be the glory, always. Amen.