i close this series of blog posts addressing aspects of our relationship with the holy spirit by including excerpts from the chapter entitled glorification. dr. olson states that . . . “the christian life is not merely a personal quest for fulfillment; it is a living testimony that brings glory to god at every STAGE. AND ITS ULTIMATE DESTINATION IS OUR GLORIFICATION. . . . GOD’S GLORY IS HIS ETERNAL AND INTRINSIC MAJESTY REVEALED IN HIS CHARACTER attributes and power, whereas our glorification, which unfolds in two stages, is the final outcome of the transformation of both [human] spirit and body into the image of christ.
“the holy spirit plays an essential role in our glorification. even now, the spirit is at work within us, shaping us into the likeness of christ. . . . his indwelling presence serves as a guarantee, a down payment, of the full inheritance that awaits us. . . . the full path of the christian journey can be summarized as: salvation [to] sanctification [to] glorification. . . . at physical death, the believer’s [human] spirit is immediately perfected and enters into union with god: 2 cor 5:8: . . . then, at christ’s return, believers will receive resurrected, glorified bodies: phil 3: 20-21. . . . our glorification is not merely a promise of personal reward; it is the grand conclusion of god’s redemptive work in us, and a reflection of his limitless grace and power.”
dr. olson concludes his book “with the enduring promise of philippians 1:6:
“being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of jesus christ.”