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260 How Are the Christian Scriptures Confirmed by the Peculiar Glory of God?
The Word Is Confirmed by the Glory It Creates
What we have seen so far in this chapter is that the reality of the glory
of God, shining through the word of God, adds this to its self-authenticating
powers: it creates in human hearts images of its own divine glory
(2 Cor. 3:18). The peculiar glory of God in Scripture is reflected in his
people: they are transformed from self-centered, self-exalting people to
God-centered, Christ-exalting servants, who live for the good of others.
In this, they are like Christ, the perfect embodiment of the peculiar glory
of love through lowliness. This change extends the self-authenticating
evidence of the glory of God through the word into the character and
the good works of God’s people. Thus the people who are most transformed
by the word become evidences for the reality of the God of
the word.
The Salt and Light of the World
For example, Jesus said to his disciples,
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand,
and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light
shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give
glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 5:14–16)
First, Jesus had appeared in the world as the light of the world. “I am
the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Now the disciples have beheld
the glory of the Lord and have been changed from one degree of
glory to another into his image (2 Cor. 3:18). So he calls them the light
of the world. They are extending the glory they have seen into the world
by the transformation of their lives.
Specifically, Jesus says, “They will see your good works and give
glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). In some way,
through the works of the followers of Jesus, the glory of God is visible.
But this is not automatic. Not everyone who sees the disciples’ transformed
lives gives glory to God. This should remind us of the miracles
of Jesus, which we focused on in chapter 15. Not everyone who saw
the miracles saw the glory of God. And not everyone who sees the good