How does God see the believer according to Romans 8:30?
According to Romans 8:30, God sees the believer as already glorified. When God looks upon the believer, He does not see the individual in particular; He sees Christ Jesus. God views the believer as justified, sanctified, forgiven, baptized into the Body, and glorified, seeing us as He sees Christ in all His glory.
Les explains that Romans 8:30 declares believers are not only justified but also glorified. Though believers do not walk around with a halo or an angelic presence, and fellow man cannot see this glory, God does. Every time God looks upon a believer, He does not see that individual in particular; He sees Christ Jesus. Les illustrates this with Christ's transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John saw Him literally glorified, His clothing radiating heaven's glory. Les says that since God says we are glorified, we cannot see it on each other, but God sees it when He looks on us. God sees us as not only justified and all these other things, but also glorified, and He sees us as He sees Christ in all His glory. Les notes this should excite even the most blasé believer, and connects it to God's foreknowledge, having chosen us in Christ before creation, though that doctrine stands alongside the truth that Christ tasted death for every man.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
More Questions
Does God already see believers as glorified, the same way He sees Christ?
God has already glorified believers, and He sees them as He sees Christ in all of His glory.
Are believers already glorified even though we cannot see it?
God sees believers as glorified right now, even though other believers cannot see that glorification on one another.