THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE An example of the marvelous transformation that is realized by beholding "the glory of the Lord" is seen in the early disciples. Following Christ's enthronement, Peter and John were found, boldly preaching the Jesus whom they had accompanied for over three years. They spoke with such marvelous confidence and boldness that it arrested the attention of the people. It is written that they "took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). That is, they "began to recognize them as having been with Jesus" (NASB). -- 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 28 of 33
" . . . are changed into the same image . . . "
AN EXAMPLE
And how is it that they concluded these men had been with Jesus? It was because they preached like Him. They spoke like Jesus did. They conducted themselves as Jesus did. Their manners were the same as His. They had, in fact, been transformed. Once they had attempted to have Jesus send away a woman who was pleading for His help (Matt 15:23). But they were not doing that anymore. They had been "changed." Once they rebuked Bartimaeus for crying out for mercy, telling him to "hold his peace" (Luke 18:38). They did not do this again. They had been "changed." Once, when Jesus' enemies came to arrest Him, all of His disciples ran away, forsaking Him (Matt 26:56). That certainly occurred no more! They had been "changed."
SUMMARY THOUGHTS
Why is it that the modern church is so much like the world? Why is so much sin found within its ranks? Why are their spiritual appetites so small? Why is there so little difference between those who profess Christ and those who do not? Why do we hear of fallen Christian leaders? It is because such people have not been "changed!" And why is it that they have not been changed? Is not that the revealed mode of the Kingdom? Does not this very text inform us that this is the manner of the New Covenant? The declaration is forthright, and there is no ambiguity in it: "But we ALL, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, ARE BEING TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18, NKJV).
Where appropriate change is not being realized, the people are simply NOT beholding "the glory of the Lord." The people are not "looking unto Jesus." That is why they are NOT being changed! Something or someone else has captured their attention. Their heart is, as Jesus said, where their treasure is (Matt 6:21). It simply is not possible to focus and concentrate on the Jesus of Scripture – as revealed in the Gospel – and remain unchanged!
If the Gospel is the appointed means by which the glory of the Lord is perceived, and if it is the means by which we are changed into the same image, how then can anyone defend the postulate that the Gospel is preached "only to sinners!" Who is it that will dare to champion a position that states the Gospel is not to be preached to the church? Is it not God's "power unto salvation?" It is NOT possible to be "changed" if the people are NOT exposed to "the glory of the Lord," which glory is seen in the Gospel. This is not the glory that is seen in God's children, but the glory that is seen in His Son! That glory must be seen directly, not through the veil of human flesh namely our flesh. While we are exhorted to let our light shine, that light has no transforming power! Souls are not changed by what they see in us! They can glorify God, turn their eyes toward Him, and inquire because of our light, but they cannot be changed by the light that emanates from us!
We must be exposed directly to the "glory of the Lord" in order to be altered by it – that is, to the glory radiating from the Gospel. Moses' face was "changed" because he was exposed to the glory of the Lord. However, the glory that radiated from his face did not produce a change in those who saw it. That glory was not a transforming glory.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Savior whose glory transforms me.