November 30, 2022

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

… we all …  Paul included himself in this declaration of the miraculous transformation that God’s Holy Spirit sets out to achieve in us once we choose to believe. This act of our will, choosing, has the effect of removing a veil that had previously blocked our spiritual vision. To behold as in a mirror is an expression for gaining only a limited view. Mirrors at this time were made of polished brass and provided a dim reflection—full clarity was yet hidden. Through the study of His love letter, the Bible, the Lord’s glory is revealed to us bit by bit—in glimpses—for us to ponder. As faith increases, we are enabled to behold more of His glory: the scope of our heavenly view increases from glory to glory! In taking our spiritual eyes off of Him, we will most likely stumble and fall. But even a dim vision of His glory reveals the tender love in His eyes; the fallen one is empowered to get up again and continue the walk of transformation, with Him close beside. The gift of confession, repentance, forgiveness, and encouragement are wrapped up together and tied by His love.

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. Proverbs 24:16

It is important to know that God’s word refers to the wicked as those who have heard His saving message but chose to reject it. Jesus will not return to retrieve His people before everyone has had the opportunity to hear and accept salvation (see Matthew 24:14). The life of faith is a struggle; but the struggle itself is a sign of life. The one who has heard the truth and has no struggle is like a butterfly that remains in the cocoon. He will never fly or see the light of day.

It is a blessing that the dazzling, overwhelming brightness of His glory is not shown to us all at once in our sinful state. Faith is birthed when the gospel message is presented and accepted. This miracle of new birth and the life of faith that follows is a lifelong series of subsequent decisions—aided by divine grace—that constitute our sanctification. The transformation we are undergoing is preparing us to joyfully behold the sight of our Savior and King in the fullness of His radiant glory! When Paul wrote to the Romans of growing faith, he used the expression faith to faith (the original Greek: from one level of faith to the next level of faith). Let us take hold of all that the Lord shows us—getting up again each time we fall. We are growing day by day . . .

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

For in [the gospel of Christ] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17