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)
BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD, #1
" . . . even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Other versions read, "just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (NASB), "which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (NIV), "for this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (RSV), "this is the working of the Lord, who is the Spirit" (NJB), "as the Spirit of the Lord works within us" (NLT), "it comes from the Spirit of the Lord" (IE), "as derived from the Lord the Spirit" (WEYMOUTH), "since it comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (WILLIAMS), and "[for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit" (AMPLIFIED ).
The "change" of which our text speaks is not automatic – it does not take place independently of ordained means. Neither, indeed, is it not impersonal – like a force working upon men apart from their conscience and effort. It is not like an inviolable law, so that if you will just casually behold the glory, you will be changed whether you want to be "changed" or not.
This change results from beholding "the glory of the Lord," but it is "the Spirit of the Lord" who actually accomplishes that change. This is not "the Spirit of the Lord" operating from heaven – working upon the person while dissociated from him. This is "the Spirit of the Lord" working FROM WITHIN, where He has been sent by God. As it is written, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6). No person will be "changed from glory to glory" in whom the Holy Spirit does not reside.
It also ought to be noted that this change will not take place if the Holy Spirit is "quenched" or "grieved." Solemnly we are admonished, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30). And again, "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19). The quenching or grieving of the Holy Spirit necessarily terminates the change that He is working. A "grieved" Spirit does not continue His work just as though nothing had happened. The Holy Spirit does not continue to change people while He is being grieved. If this was not the case, there would be no need for the admonitions not to grieve or quench the Spirit. If the work of change will continue regardless of the grieving or quenching of the Holy Spirit, there is no point to those admonitions. In such a case, the Spirit would simply change the attitude of the individual and move on with His work. But this is not the case, for when He is "grieved" or "quenched" the individual has actually ceased to steadfastly behold the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ. In that situation, the Spirit no longer has the means by which He accomplishes the required "change."
The wording of the text is very precise. Earlier "the Spirit" is identified as the Lord Himself: "the Lord IS that Spirit" (v 17). The meaning is simply this: it is the glory of the Lord that we are beholding, and it is His glory that is transforming us. This by no means excludes the ministry of the Holy Spirit, which is foundational throughout the New Covenant. However, it is not the glory of the Spirit that we are required to behold! Nowhere – I say nowhere – is the Spirit Himself the focus of attention. His work is always and ever in strict concert with our focus upon Jesus Christ – the Christ that is revealed in the Gospel. When the Spirit speaks, it is "not of Himself" (John 16:13). He Himself is not the theme of His instruction. We are not admonished to look to the Spirit, but to Jesus (Heb 12:2). We are not the pray to the Spirit, but to the Father (Phil 4:6). We are not to believe on the Spirit, but upon the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
Blessed is the person who keeps his focus upon "the Lord's Christ." That person will, without fail, be changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. Neither, indeed, will such a person be found grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit. That cannot be done while we are occupied with the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit. I pray for grace to always have my heart and mind focused on Your Son, so the Spirit can freely work in me.