Beholding the Glory of the Lord

By ROBERT FIGUEROA

What is the goal of the Christian life? What is it we are to become? In Romans 8:29, we learn what is the ultimate goal of the Christian, let's read this passage:

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." - Romans 8:29

This verse simply states "to be conformed to the image of His Son". But how does this take place? How does one become like Christ? Take a look at these words of Paul:

"And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in the mirror the Glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of Glory to another; [for this comes] from the LORD [Who is] the Spirit." - 2nd Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)

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The Apostle Paul was addressing the Church of Corinth in regards to removing the veils from their hearts and minds and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we look deeply into this scripture we will reveal the Glory of the Lord in our own life.

"But we all"..."are being transformed into the same image" The word transformed means "to change into another form, to convert, to transfigure".

This is not referring to the new man when baptized, rather the change in your Christian walk. Paul is talking to believers. Is this transformation a one time deal? The answer is, no. Paul even says we "are being transformed" (present tense) right now as we read this lesson! It is a process. It can take several years; maybe it will never end. That's OK. This same word is used to describe Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration:

"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." - Matthew 17:1,2

He was "transfigured before them". His face "shone like the sun" and His clothes "became as white as the light". Christians likewise are to undergo a transformation... Not physically but in the inward man, there needs to be transformation. I need to constantly grow and mature in the knowledge of Christ.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2

This is another reason why we need to be transformed so we may know the perfect will of God. If there's no transformation we might not know or do the will of God, rather we will do our will. When change is not taking place in our lives then there's something wrong.

The Apostle Paul referred to Moses in this context of Corinthians', when Moses saw the Glory of the Lord. "The Word in Life Study Bible" gives a brief insight to the mind of Paul when referring to Moses.

"The Apostle Paul recalled a time when Moses received the Law. As Israel wandered through the wilderness God revealed Himself to the People through what looked like a consuming Fire. But to Moses, He spoke face to face. This encounter had such an effect on Moses that his face would shine with an afterglow whenever he returned to the people. To dispel or cast out their fear he put a veil over his face to hide the glory of the Lord.

Paul argues that we as believers in Christ have an even closer proximity to God than Moses. For God lives within us! Thus when we meet others they ought to see the Glory of God shinning out of us. In other words they ought to see Jesus."

The Glory that the Spirit imparts to the believer is more excellent and lasts longer than that which Moses experienced. When we have transformation we will shine with the Glory of God. We don't have to go to the Mountain top or the wilderness to seek out the Glory of God. We can search and obtain the Glory of God right now even as you are reading this article.

We will be changed from one level of Glory to another level of Glory. The Christian life needs to be moving and changing constantly. Let us compare to what Solomon says in Proverbs:

"The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come." - Proverbs 4:18

When the Sun rises the earth is being restored with warmth and light necessary to grow fruit. As we are taking this journey of Faith we are like the sun. Were changing we become brighter and brighter until the day is full or until Jesus Christ has Come.

As we grow in the Lord we are getting brighter and brighter or as Paul says it we "are being transformed from Glory to Glory" and on and on.

Beholding... The Glory of the Lord
What does it mean to, behold? To ponder; meditate, marvel on the Lord's glory. What is "the glory of the Lord" we are to behold? It would involve the glory He manifested while on earth

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

From Glory to Glory
From one degree or level of glory to another. We are not to be the same Spirit filled Christian as we were the day we came to the Lord. We are to increase in Wisdom, Knowledge, and many more areas of Godliness. In other words we are to receive a successful succession of Glory from God. One level of Glory to the next and to the next. Glory to Glory to Glory and on. When we look into our spiritual mirrors we will see ourselves transforming from one level of Glory to the next. We are not the same, for we are shinning with the glory of God.

Bloomfield said "The more we behold this brilliant and glorious light, the more do we reflect back its rays; that is, the more we contemplate the great truths of the Christian religion, the more do our minds become imbued with its spirit."

Locke said "We are changed into His very image by a continued succession of Glory, as it were, streaming upon us from the Lord".

We simply need to be living a life of transformation: constantly, evaluate your walk with the Lord. And if you are seeing in that mirror your image is being transformed from Glory to Glory then praise the Lord, keep up the good work. If you can see signs that the Spirit is at work in your life then simply thank the Lord and allow Him to continue to transform you from Glory to Glory. If you cannot feel the Spirit moving in your life, then you need to ask yourself how much am "I abiding in Christ". There needs to be a demonstration of the Spirit in your life.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you." - John 15:1-8

Robert Figueroa is the co-executive producer of Inspired Christian.org and lives with his wife in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can send him your comments to robertfig@inspiredchristian.org.

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