Revolutionized by Revelation

2nd Corinthians 3:18

The outstanding characteristic of a Christian is this unveiled frankness before God so that life becomes a mirror for other lives. By being filled with the Spirit we are transformed, and by beholding we become mirrors. You always know when a man has been beholding the glory of the Lord, you feel in your inner spirit that he is the mirror of the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything which would sully that mirror in you, it is nearly always a good thing the good that is not the best.

The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God. Let everything else- work, clothes, food, everything on earth- go by the board, saving that one thing. The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God. We have to maintain ourselves in the place of beholding, keeping the life absolutely spiritual all through.

Let other things come and go as they may, let other people criticize as they will, but never allow anything to obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God. Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in Him. It is the one thing that is apt to fluctuate but it ought not to. The severest discipline of a Christian’s life is to learn how to keep “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord.”

**2 Corinthians 3:18** is a powerful verse that speaks to the transformative nature of being in Christ and how believers are being progressively conformed to His image. Here's a breakdown of key points of emphasis for this verse:

1. **Transformation through the Holy Spirit**

   - *"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory..."*

     - Emphasize that the "unveiled face" symbolizes openness and a direct relationship with God through Christ. Unlike the Israelites, who had to cover their faces because of the glory fading, believers can now approach God freely.

     - The "glory" refers to the manifestation of God's presence, often seen in the Old Testament but now revealed through Christ.

   2. **Beholding the Glory of the Lord**

   - The idea of *contemplating* the Lord’s glory speaks to a deep, continual focus on Christ. This is not just casual observation but a heartfelt gaze at His nature, character, and work.

   - This contemplation is not passive—it leads to change. The more we gaze upon Christ's glory, the more we are shaped by it.

3. **Progressive Transformation (From Glory to Glory)**

   - *"…are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory…"*

     - The transformation is not instantaneous but progressive ("from glory to glory"). It’s a continuous process of becoming more like Christ over time.

     - Highlight that this transformation is a gradual work of the Holy Spirit, who works in us to make us more like Christ in our character, actions, and thoughts.

4. **The Role of the Holy Spirit**

   - *"…which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."*

     - The transformation is *enabled* by the Holy Spirit. It’s not by our effort but by the Spirit working within us.

     - This reinforces the idea that Christian growth is a cooperative effort between the believer and the Spirit, and it's only through the Holy Spirit that true change happens.

5. **The Ultimate Goal: Christlikeness**

   - The end goal of this transformation is that we become more and more like Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we reflect His character more clearly to the world around us.

    6. **Immediacy and Accessibility of God's Glory**

   - Unlike the Old Covenant, where the glory of God was veiled and inaccessible, under the New Covenant (through Christ), God’s glory is now unveiled, and His presence is freely available to all believers.

7. **Encouragement to Pursue Holiness**

   - As we are being transformed into Christ’s image, we are also being called to live in ways that reflect that transformation—showing His love, humility, and holiness in our lives.

   ### Summary:

2 Corinthians 3:18 emphasizes the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives, as they continuously behold the glory of God in Christ. This process is gradual, reflecting Christ's image more and more as we grow in relationship with Him. It's not by our own strength but by the work of the Spirit that this change happens. The verse calls believers to embrace the ongoing transformation of becoming more like Christ in character, actions, and purpose.

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