THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:15-18, KJV)
BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF THE LORD
" . . . beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord . . . "
Other versions read, "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord" (NKJV), "reflect the Lord's glory" (NIV), "seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror" (NRSV), "giving back as in a glass the glory of the Lord" (BBE), "reflect the Lord's glory" (NIB), "we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord" (NLT), "we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord" (LIVING), "we reflect the same glory" (IE), "reflecting like bright mirrors the glory of the Lord" (WEYMOUTH), "we continue to reflect like mirrors the splendor of the Lord" (WILLIAMS), and "continued to behold" (AMPLIFIED).
Not only must we employ the proper part of our persons – an "open face," or one that is not veiled – we must prepare ourselves for extended exposure to the glory of God. The objective the Lord established for His people will not be accomplished by fleeting glances and brief exposure. Those who imagine such a thing is remotely possible have only been deceived.
BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS
The phrase "beholding as in a glass" is the translation of as single Greek word. Lexically the word means, "to show in a mirror, to make to reflect, to mirror . . . to behold for oneself in a mirror" (THAYER). Other lexical meanings include, "contemplate as in a mirror" (FRIBERG).
The expression "as in a glass" speaks of the reflection of a mirror – not peering through a window pane. We must not, however, be diverted from the point of this text. Two things are emphasized: the focus of believers, and what has captured their attention. The word "beholding" describes the FOCUS of believers. From the standpoint of human activity, this is the appointed means of transformation.
Beholding speaks of a steadfast focus. This is not a glance, not a momentary consideration or a fleeting thought. This is unwaveringly looking, not allowing anything to interrupt our gaze. This is contrasted with Israel looking on the face of Moses. They could not look long upon his face because of its brightness: "the children of Israel could not STEADFASTLY behold the face of Moses" (verse 7). The New Covenant does NOT make provision for this type of consideration, even though it is quite common in modern Christendom. There is absolutely no grace that can be appropriated by fleeting glances and momentary considerations. If our considerations are brief, we cannot possibly receive much from the Lord.
The mirror, or reflecting agency, into which we peer is the Gospel of Christ itself – "the record God has given of His Son" (1 John 5:10-11). The "glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus" is reflected most precisely in the Gospel itself. That is why is it "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16). That is why the Gospel was preached "with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven" (1 Pet 1:12). Various versions that have us reflecting the glory of reference reflect spiritual obtuseness. We are not changed by the glory we reflect! This reflected glory is a changing glory! It seems to me that modicum of consideration makes this most apparent.
A FATAL FLAW
One of the fatal flaws of the theology to which I was once subjected, is that the Gospel is preached only to sinners, not to saints. There is a whole body of reasoning that is presented to buttress this view. It is, however, unworthy of mention.
The Corinthians were told that the Gospel was the means by which they were brought into Christ. They were also told it was the means by which they stood, and would be saved, if they kept it in memory. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain" (1 Cor 15:1-2).
This being true, what can be said of a preacher or a church, or a movement, that neglects the Gospel, or does not continually place it before the people? I will tell you. Such men, churches, and movements have removed the means by which men "stand." It should not be surprising, therefore, if those within such an environment fall. Such people have also removed the means of salvation being brought to its culmination, which is the point of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Jesus.
Our text is showing us that the removal of the Gospel robs the people of the proper focus of consideration. Substitute focuses are being offered: the church, the needy, the family, the nation, worship, music . . . etc. Such considerations are not of themselves wrong, and let no one imagine that they are. However, when they become the focus, or the center of our attention, the means of transformation has been removed, and no amount of talk will bring it back!
SUMMATION
We are speaking of "beholding" the reflected glory of Christ resident in the Gospel. The Gospel is the "glass," that reflects the glory of the Lord. That is, "therein (in the Gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17).
The word "mirror," as used by some translations, can leave us with the wrong impression. (NKJV, NASB, NRSV, ASV, GENEVA, NAU, NJB, NLT, WEBSTER, YLT). This could lead someone to believe it is our own image that is being beheld, as in the ordinary use of a mirror. Leaving this impression, some translations read, "with unveiled faces like mirrors reflecting the Lord's glory" (NJB), "so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord" (NLT), "we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord" (LIVING), "we reflect the same glory" (IE), "reflecting like bright mirrors" (WEYMOUTH), "we continue to reflect like mirrors" (WILLIAMS), and "we all, with unveiled faces, reflecting like mirrors" (MONTGOMERY). The text by no means suggests that we are looking at our own image. That is a wholly incorrect representation. The reflection is not coming from us – the ones who are beholding. Rather, it is coming from the object of our steadfast gaze. Later in Second Corinthians, Paul will identify this as "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus" (2 Cor 4:6).
This "beholding" is an unwavering look, a lingering consideration, and a continuing exposure. It is something having to do with understanding, discernment, and comprehension – all of which require a proper focus and concentration for an extended period.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Gospel that contains such marvelous glory – a glory that has transforming power, making the Gospel Your power unto salvation.