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 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)
In our texts the word rendered transformed, or changed, is the same as is used in Matthew 17:2; and this must have been in the mind of the apostle when he said, "Be ye transfigured," and "we are transfigured into the same image." How can this transformation be effected? First, from within, by the renewing of the mind; and second, by beholding the glory of the Lord.
What about the renewing of the mind? This is no matter for emotion or ecstasy, but of bringing our minds into close and constant contact with the truth as contained in the Holy Scripture. You don’t have to study yourself in the mirror, to see whether you are becoming transfigured; but each day as you saturate your mind in God's Word, without your realizing it, you will become transfigured. Moses wished that his face wouldn’t shine. It was for the crowd that waited for him at the mountain-foot to see it, not for him.
Our Lord said: "Abide in me and I in you." This is somewhat mystical and profound; but He said again: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you", that is surely within our reach. "It is not too high, not too deep, not too inward, not too mystical," said Dr. Whyte on one occasion; "and when the Master asks that His words shall abide in me, He can mean nothing else than that I shall often recall and recollect His words, and shall repeat them to myself at all times."
As a man thinks in his heart so is he; and if we think those thoughts of self-giving, which characterized our Lord's forecast and determination on the Mount of Transfiguration, if we are excited by the possibility of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God; as we steep our minds in His mind, the transfiguring glory of that high possibility will insensibly pass into our faces, thus illuminating our most common actions, and our simplest speech.
What does it mean to behold and reflect the glory of the Lord? The mirror again is Holy Scripture. We find there the reflection of our Lord's highest glory, which is patent, not in His creative but in His redemptive work. As we gaze on Him who, for our salvation hid not His Face from shame and spitting, but became a willing sacrifice on our behalf, we shall be changed.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me such communion with Yourself that my soul may continually be thirsting for that time when I shall behold You in Your glory. In the meantime, may I behold Your glory in the mirror of Your Word, and be changed into the same image. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
God's Daily Promise
Promise
#48:
I will heal your broken heart and mend all your wounds.
Psalm 147:3 (WEB)
He
heals the broken in heart,
and
binds up their wounds.
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