THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed . . . " -- 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)
Devotion 25 of 33
A static religion – where there is no fundamental progression – is one in which Jesus is not resident. In such a case, the people are not focused upon Him, and have become distracted to other things. Our text is not speaking of mere possibilities or ideals. This is what happens when our attention is focused on "The record God has given of His Son" (1 John 5:10-11). There simply is no possibility that an individual's attention can be focused on the Subject of the Gospel without that person being "changed." This is because that Person, Jesus Christ, is "alive for evermore" (Rev 1:18).
A religion that leaves a person unchanged should be immediately abandoned – cast away as the rubbish that it is! It must be regarded as "dung," just as Paul considered his own past – steeped in Jewish tradition (Phil 3:8). Just as surely as Moses could not remain in the presence of the Lord of glory without the skin of his face being "changed," so it is impossible for the person who beholds the glory of the Lord to remain unchanged!
When a church – any church – must resort to canned procedures to try and awaken the people to righteousness, there is something that is fundamentally wrong. When Paul had to write the Corinthians in such a manner as to constrain them to conduct themselves properly, it was because they had been diverted from the Lord of glory. Their eyes had been turned to men (1 Cor 3:4), and thus their spiritual change was aborted! They had reverted to a carnal state, from which they had once been delivered (1 Cor 3:1-3), and therefore they ceased to progress.
Rather than changing upward, they were in a state of moral and spiritual decline. They allowed fornication among them (1 Cor 5:1-5). They did not consider the impact of suing one another before carnal judges (1 Cor 6:1-5). They were unable to discern when it was proper to marry, and how to handle challenging circumstances within marriage (1 Cor 7:1-16). Paul had to reason with them about being mindful of weaker brethren, whose conscience was in a state of formation (1 Cor 8:1-13). Some of the Corinthians could not see that Paul was an Apostle, and was worthy of their support (1 Cor 9:1-27). They had forgotten about the experience of the Israelites, that was recorded for our admonition (1 Cor 10:1-12). The church in Corinth was not making an association of their assemblies with edification (1 Cor 11:1-19). Instead of the Lord's table being a place of blessing among them, it became the occasion of Divine judgment (1 Cor 11:20-34). Somehow, the purpose served by spiritual gifts was no longer seen among them (1 Cor 12-14). Some of their number had ceased to believe the dead would be raised (1 Cor 15:1-52). What had happened among these people?
The Corinthians were no longer being "changed" – that is precisely why Paul had to write them two Epistles filled with rebuke and elementary teaching. This kind of pattern is so prevalent today that it is actually thought to be the "common" condition of the church. We are living in a time when religious careers are being tailored for dead and lifeless churches! Preaching and expounding Christ Jesus has now been classified with religious relics. The church has so many problems it needs a "counseling staff." It cannot worship the Lord, so it has invented a "worship leader." It's youth are going astray so they have created a "youth minister." A vast array of workshops and clinics have been developed to address the "practical needs" of the people. The church is not expanding, so "church planting" courses are being offered. Divorce is so common among professing Christians that we now have "divorce recovery" classes and clinics. So many preachers have fallen into moral sin that whole ministries are now devoted to their recovery. This is a fair representation of the "church" culture of our day. In fact, the church at Corinth has, for all practical purposes, been "restored." It was shameful for Corinth to have such traits (1 Cor 6:5; 15:34), and it is shameful for them to exist today as well!
These conditions are the direct result of a lack of "change" – the kind of change that DOES take place when we "behold . . . the glory of the Lord." It is not possible to behold this glory and remain unchanged! It is not that decline is not apt to happen as we "behold." It is that is CANNOT happen when our attention is properly focused! A person cannot run the race set before him, "looking unto Jesus," and go backward, or be diverted to a spiritual alley (Heb 12:1-2). That circumstance cannot happen when the glory of the Lord is shining upon our unveiled face!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a salvation that changes character, advancing us to conformity to the image of Your Son.