Life is full of changes. Seasons change (at least where we live). Fashion changes. Technology is constantly changing. Our lives change as we gain new knowledge, begin a new chapter, or simply grow older. And yet, nothing really changes from its fundamental essence. Apples can’t change into oranges. While a caterpillar does transform into a butterfly, it is still the same being in another phase of life.
It would seem that changeableness and unchangeableness are laws of life. And yet the Bible says, “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, CSB) The key word is transformed which in context means to change essential form or nature of something. In this case, ourselves.
In Christ, I’m not the person I was. My essential nature has changed and is changing. I increasingly look towards Christ and away from sin and self. I increasingly care more for others than for my own desires. I am no longer ruled by fear, anger, and worry but seek Christ’s rule and reflect His love, mercy, and grace. But none of this happens in an instant. It does begin in a moment of decision and turning to Christ (repentance), but the transformation is the continuing work of the Holy Spirit.
How do we fully embrace these changes in our essential nature? The verse gives us two pieces to consider. The first is the removal of the veil, the blinders that keep us from seeing God in His fullness. That veil is lifted in Christ. “but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” (2 Corinthians 3:16, CSB) The second is to look towards the glory of the Lord. We are increasingly transformed as we encounter His glory in the mirror of God’s Word, in prayer, and in others that are also reflecting God’s glory.
The Word says that we are changed from glory to glory. In that first moment that we accept Christ, we gain a bit of His glory. Over time, and as we look in the mirror of His glory, we continue to advance from glory to glory. The transformation continues until that day when, either in death or in Christ’s return, we see Him face to face. This change is the “working out of our salvation” (Philippians 2:12). We don’t accept Christ and go on our own merry way. We enter a new life nurtured in God’s Word and relationship with discipleship, intentionality, and humble honesty.
My friends, I want to join you in celebrating where you are in your journey with Christ, and I also want to encourage you to take the next steps of faith that He has for you. I’m here to pray with you and support you. If you have any prayer requests, please feel free to use the prayer request button at the top of the webpage or the bottom of this email.
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