Read: 2 Corinthians 3:17–4:2 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 22–24; John 8:28–59
We all . . . are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
They say we all have one: Doppelgangers some call them. Lookalikes. People unrelated to us who look very much like us.
Mine happens to be a star in the music field. When I attended one of his concerts, I got a lot of double takes from fellow fans during intermission. But alas, I am no James Taylor when it comes to singing and strumming a guitar. We just happen to look alike.
Who do you look like? As you ponder that question, reflect on 2
Corinthians 3:18, where Paul tells us that we “are being transformed
into [the Lord’s] image.” As we seek to honor Jesus with our lives, one
of our goals is to take on His image. Of course, this doesn’t mean we
have to grow a beard and wear sandals—it means that the Holy Spirit
helps us demonstrate Christlike characteristics in how we live. For
example, in attitude (humility), in character (loving), and in
compassion (coming alongside the down and out), we are to look like
Jesus and imitate Him.
As we “contemplate the Lord’s glory,” by fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can grow more and more like Him. What an amazing thing it would be if people could observe us and say, “I see Jesus in you”!
Mine happens to be a star in the music field. When I attended one of his concerts, I got a lot of double takes from fellow fans during intermission. But alas, I am no James Taylor when it comes to singing and strumming a guitar. We just happen to look alike.
As we “contemplate the Lord’s glory,” by fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can grow more and more like Him. What an amazing thing it would be if people could observe us and say, “I see Jesus in you”!
Lord, help us to gaze on You, to study You, to know You. Transform us into Your image by what we say, how we love others, and how we worship You. May others see Jesus in us.
Love is the family resemblance the world should see in followers of Christ.
INSIGHT:
After having communed with God for some eighty days and nights
(Ex. 24:18; 34:28), Moses’s face shone, reflecting and radiating the
holiness and glory of God (34:29–35). When he came down from Mt. Sinai
with the law, the people were afraid to come near him. Thereafter, Moses
wore a veil over his face, seemingly to protect the Israelites from
prolonged exposure to God’s glorious holiness.
Thousands of years later, the apostle Paul adds that Moses veiled himself to prevent the Israelites from seeing that this glory was fading away (2 Cor. 3:13). Using Moses’s experience, Paul reminds us of the great privilege Christians have today. Just as Moses was able to enter God’s holy presence without the veil (Ex. 34:34–35), anyone who believes in Jesus also has this privilege (2 Cor. 3:14, 16). The Holy Spirit gives us unencumbered and unrestricted access into God’s holy presence (v. 17) and will enable us to “see and reflect the glory of the Lord, [making] us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (v. 18 nlt).
In what ways are you like your heavenly Father? How is exposure to God’s holiness through His Word changing you to look more like Christ?
Thousands of years later, the apostle Paul adds that Moses veiled himself to prevent the Israelites from seeing that this glory was fading away (2 Cor. 3:13). Using Moses’s experience, Paul reminds us of the great privilege Christians have today. Just as Moses was able to enter God’s holy presence without the veil (Ex. 34:34–35), anyone who believes in Jesus also has this privilege (2 Cor. 3:14, 16). The Holy Spirit gives us unencumbered and unrestricted access into God’s holy presence (v. 17) and will enable us to “see and reflect the glory of the Lord, [making] us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (v. 18 nlt).
In what ways are you like your heavenly Father? How is exposure to God’s holiness through His Word changing you to look more like Christ?
No comments:
Post a Comment