2 Corinthians 3:18 - What We Behold - - - We Become!
2 Corinthians 3:18 " What We Behold - - - We Become!
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) 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 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face,
beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image
from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who
is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (CWR) Our faces are no longer covered, and as
we look at the glory of the Lord, were changed. We reflect more
and more of His image by the power of the Spirit working on our
hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (MSG) All of us! Nothing between us and God,
our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are
transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and
more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Some human beings are problem-avoiders, but the more
responsible among us are problem-solvers by nature. When we see a problem,
we focus on it. Sometimes we even obsess over it, turn it inside
out, and analyze it to death. That rarely helps, but we do it anyway,
even to the point of losing sleep. Our attention is drawn to the
negative because we feel compelled to fix it.
That approach doesn't work very often in many areas of life,
but its particularly deadly when we're dealing with the old
nature. Nowhere does Scripture tell us to focus on sin in order to get
rid of it. Anyone who has tried - whether through self-discipline,
wallowing in guilt, or any other tactic that draws attention to the sin -
has certainly found themselves stuck in a horrible condition. Why?
Because we grow in the direction of our gaze. Always. And gazing at our
problems only intensifies their effects.
The biblical approach to conforming to Jesus is to look at
Him. That's right; we stare. With unveiled faces, we gaze at His
glory. We stop paying attention to sin and start paying attention to a
vision of our future. We may not know how it happens, but that gaze
will transform us. We'll look back and realize that we were once
stuck in the old nature and now we've grown to be much more like
Christ. Our focus will always shape us, so Scripture tells us to focus
exclusively on Him.
That isn't hard to understand. Little Leaguers focus on
professional athletes and begin to walk, talk, and spit like them. Rock
enthusiasts start to dress, pierce, and strut like their idols. We conform
to what we love. So if we love Jesus - if we are constantly fixing
our eyes on Him and ignoring our old nature - a new nature begins to
reshape us. We become like Him. And we are perfectly formed for His
Kingdom. [The One Year Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
COMMENTARY
It was a divine encounter that Peter, James, and John never
forgot. Jesus led them to a high mountaintop, and there the Lord was
"transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became
as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2).
These three disciples were privileged to observe in a
dramatic way that Jesus is "the glory of the Lord," the complete personal
expression of God. This unfading, eternal glory radiates through believers
who are transformed into God's image and who share in His glory.
The Greek word translated "transformed" or "transfigured"
means "changed into another form either externally or internally," but
this change is not self-generated. Our remodeling into christlikeness
is God's work in us. It begins at salvation, and it happens by the
Spirit as we walk with and abide in Christ.
God, by His Spirit, gradually but assuredly conforms you into
His image. So learn to live continuously in God's presence. Yield to
every change the Spirit seeks to make. Never let a hurried lifestyle
disrupt your abiding in Christ. Keep your eyes on Him as the Holy Spirit
transforms you into Christ's likeness. [Being Still With God Every Day by
Henry Blackaby]
Be careful about what you choose to worship because,
Scripture warns, we will become like that which we worship. Whatever you
spend time with will rub off on you. Just as spending time with wise
people will make you wise (Proverbs 13:20), choosing to spend your time
with worldly and wicked things will cause you to gradually adopt
worldly and wicked values. Furthermore, realize that whatever you
instinctively turn to in times of trouble is an idol. The idols of the
psalmist's day were powerless and unable to provide practical assistance
(119: 5). Likewise, many modern idols appear to offer strength and
joy, but those who trust in them soon discover that the idol's image
of strength is merely a facade.
So where do you instinctively turn for help? What do you
value and admire? To what are you giving your discretionary time? What
do you turn to in times of crisis? What does that say about you?
The person each one of us is today reflects what has been
most important to us. If you're worshiping your heavenly Father,
there should be a distinct family resemblance. [Being Still With God
Every Day by Henry Blackaby re Psalm 115:18]
The Holy Spirit doesn't wave a magic wand and change your
habits in a day. Your health habits and how you relate to people took
decades to form, and the Spirit is going to change them over time if you
cooperate with him. That's why Paul says the Spirit makes us more and more
like the Lord overtime, not all at once in one magic moment.
You can cooperate with him by embracing his tools of change:
the Scriptures, prayer, and trusted friends who will hear the truth
and tell you the truth. Spend daily time in the Word, and let the
Spirit speak to you about your life. Spend weekly time with trusted
friends who accept you for who you are. Little by little, more and more,
you will see real change - not just in your health, but also in your
resemblance to Christ. Small, steady steps will lead to big, lasting results
in the end.
God is in the business of miracle makeovers. [The Daniel Plan
365-Day Devotional]
ILLUSTRATION
My wife and I were on the road one morning right before
sunrise. We passed a field with thousands of sunflowers. They were a
beautiful sight! Unusual too, because we noticed they were all facing the
same way - east. Then we understood. Those sunflowers were waiting
for the sun to come up. As the first rays spread across the horizon
and washed over their faces, the flowers came to life.
When we got home, I did some research and learned that
sunflowers follow the path of the sun throughout the day. By evening, they
are all facing west. Then during the night they turn to the center
before resetting east to face the sunrise again.
Isn't this a beautiful message to all of us God-followers? We
should wake in the morning ready to soak up God's love, his light, and
his glory. Then we should reflect it to others throughout the day.
At day's end, bathed in peace, we rest. Theres a lovely
simplicity to living like the sunflowers and keeping our faces to the Son,
our Lord Jesus.
Father God, I can hardly contain myself when I realize that
you've placed your message of love in every part of your creation. In
Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John &
Johnny Baker]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Am I in tune with God's Spirit? Am I exercising His gifts
appropriately? Are my desires in line with His? Am I praying according to His
will? Am I hearing His voice? If we can't answer these questions with
a high degree of certainty, we will walk out our relationship with
God tentatively. We will make decisions, offer prayers, and listen
for His guidance without much conviction, and our uncertain faith
will waver. There's a lot of humility in this walk, but not a lot of
holy boldness. And we can't accomplish much in God's Kingdom without
both.
The most significant variable in answering these questions is
whether or not we are gazing at Jesus. When He is front and center in
our minds and hearts - when He is bigger and better than our deepest
desires, getting our prayers answered, and discovering God's will - He
will align us with His heartbeat. When we contemplate His glory and
pursue Him above all else, we are transformed into His image without
even being aware of it. We become like whatever we love, so if Christ
is our greatest love - not just in theory, but in daily
consciousness - we become like Him. And as we do, we hear, pray, walk, and
talk like He does. Just as He is the radiance of the Father, we
reflect God's radiance too. We don't have to worry about being misguided
when our greatest passion is knowing Jesus.
When Jesus becomes and remains the focus of our attention, a
lot of other things in life fall into place and a lot of spiritual
questions get resolved. We may not know exactly how that happens, but it
does. Our perspective changes. Even our questions change. And
uncertainties about our relationship with God begin to vanish.
Jesus, may my gaze never depart from You. Show me Your glory.
Impart Your nature to me. Implant Your heartbeat within me. Be my
truest and deepest passion. [The One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional
by Chris Tiegreen]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Let My love enfold you in the radiance of My Glory. Sit still
in the Light of My Presence, and receive My Peace. These quiet
moments with Me transcend time, accomplishing far more than you can
imagine. Bring Me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how
abundantly I bless you and your loved ones.
Through the intimacy of our relationship, you are being
transformed from the inside out. As you keep your focus on Me, I form you
into the one I desire you to be. Your part is to yield to My creative
work in you, neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up. Enjoy
the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace. Hold My
hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by
step. (Heb. 13:15; 2 Cor. 3:18; Psa. 73:23, 24) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
I can smooth out all the tangled-up places, including those
in your mind and heart. So come to Me just as you are, with all
your knotty problems and loose ends. Many of your difficulties are
complicated by other people's perplexities. It can be hard to sort out how
much of the mess is yours and how much is theirs. Be willing to take
responsibility for your own mistakes and sin without feeling responsible for
the sinful failures of others. I am here to help you untangle your
complex problems and find the best way to go forward.
Christianity is all about transformation - a lifelong
process. Some of the knots from your past are hard to untie, especially
when they involve people who continue to hurt you. Beware of getting
stuck in introspection or obsessing about how to fix things. Instead,
keep turning toward Me, seeking My Face and My will. Wait with Me,
trusting in My timing for unscrambling things and making your way clear.
Be willing to live with unresolved problems, but don't let them be
your focus. My Presence in the present is your portion - and your
boundless blessing. (2Co. 3:18; 1Ch. 16:10, 11; Lam. 3:24) [Jesus Always
by Sarah Young]
I called you out of darkness into My marvelous Light. I
brought you not only out of darkness but into My royal family. I clothed
you with My personal robe of righteousness, making you fit for My
kingdom. You are one of My own special people: You belong to Me, and I
delight in you.
I have chosen to use imperfect ones like you to proclaim My
praises. I know you cannot do this as well as you would like. Actually,
without My help it is impossible for you to do. This gap between My call
on your life and your ability to respond is part of My plan. It
heightens your awareness of your utter insufficiency. Because you are
Mine, I allow you to connect your inability to My boundless
sufficiency. Instead of focusing on your inadequacy, work on staying close to
Me. In everything you do, consciously rely on My help, living in the
joyous wonder of self-forgetfulness. As you look to Me for all you
need, your face will reflect the Light of My surpassing Glory. (1Pe.
2:9; Isa. 61:10; John 15:5; 2Co. 3:18) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150830-1604.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
