Increasing Image of Christ

2 Corinthians 3:15-18

¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Observation:

Paul is writing to the church at Corinth. Usually the ministry would either start in a synagogue or by finding a handful of Jews who would listen to the Gospel. If this was not successful the evangelism would reach out to Gentiles who were willing to hear the Gospel. The fact that Paul is speaking of Moses leads one to believe that there was a group of Jews with the ranks of the church. Perhaps they converted to Christianity, but were still struggling with the Jewish heritage. It also may be that the Jews were trying to convince the Gentiles to become Jewish as a way to become more spiritual Christians. This would mean that they would be subject to the Law of Moses. Paul wants his audience to know that Jesus fulfills the Law of Moses, and that the life he offers in the Spirit is far better than the law.

Application:

            It seems that some Christians like to measure other people’s spirituality by the law. How many good things they do versus how many bad things they do. If they do not drink, do not smoke, or any number of other taboos, they consider themselves to be right with God. Unfortunately, the Old Testament shows us that the Law is not able to make one righteous. That is, the law does not put us in a right relationship with God.

            It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be brought into a right relationship with Jesus. When we truly turn to Jesus, he fills us with his Holy Spirit. It is through the divine work of Jesus’ Spirit that we are transformed. The things that are displeasing to God become displeasing to us. This is not the result of following rules, it is the result of loving God so much that we want to set a side anything that would bring him sorrow.

            When Jesus speaks to us about obedience, he is not speaking in terms of following rules; he speaks in terms of a natural desire that has been placed in us through the Holy Spirit. The longer we walk with Jesus the deeper the desire becomes. This is the ever-increasing glory that transforms us into his image. Today, more folks seem interested in making Jesus into their own image. True discipleship is walking with Jesus in hopes of becoming a Little Christ (Christian).

Prayer:

            Father, you are holy and righteous. There is none higher than you. You have welcomed me into your salvation and have placed your Spirit with in me. I desire to be transformed into the image of Jesus, because he is the image of you in human form. I do not seek honor, glory, or power. Lord, I seek to be filled with your amazing agape love. I ask that you would manifest your image, increasingly, in my life.  Amen