2 Corinthians 3:17–18: Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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.
Moses’ temporary exposure to the glory of the Lord worked a mighty transformation in and upon him. But the new-covenant ministry of Paul is even more transforming because our exposure is constant and continuous (there is no veil). And more, it works in the reverse order of Moses’ experience, first by effecting a moral transformation into God’s image as all “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (v. 18). We express the image of God by living according to the commandments, which express his nature. The change is progressive, so that willing exposure to the sunlight of God’s presence will burn his image ever deeper into our character and will. And ultimately, at Christ’s appearance, we will undergo a physical transformation in glory. The old covenant had no such power. However, I have seen this power countless times when the most impossibly proud or impossibly profane or impossibly self-centered or impossibly malicious or impossibly cruel or vile or self-righteous have been transformed and are being transformed into the image of Christ. 1
Personal Application
- Read Galatians 5:13. What should be your main response since being liberated?
Godly Encouragement
- If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. –Galatians 5:25
A Biblical Thought to Share with Others
His liberation brings forth our transformation. – TWEET IT
A Prayer to Consider
Lord, help me to look more often into the mirror of Your word to receive Your transforming truth, and to behold Your glory.
1. Hughes, R. K. (2006). 2 Corinthians: power in weakness. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
