But we … are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory

Paul has been talking to the Corinthians about the veil that was over Moses face after he had been in the presence of the Lord. He points out that if the old covenant was glorious, the new is much more! He continues and tells us, that the veil is taken away in Christ. And the full text of the verse at the head of this post from 2 Corinthians 3:18 reads:-

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.

The imagery of beholding the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, is reminiscent of the phrase in 1 Corinthians 13:12 where Paul says “For now we see in a mirror, dimly…” The point is in Paul’s day, mirrors did not reflect as accurately as modern mirrors do, and of course no one can see the Lord and live. However we are intended to see the Lord more and more clearly even in the here and now, and in that spiritual seeing Paul tells us that we get transformed from glory to glory.

The Christian of course is intended to be different from the world, and one of those differences is to be that our spiritual countenances are being changed from glory to glory. This happens in the process of beholding.

The writer to the Hebrews tells us that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. This involves spending time in His presence, meditating upon His Word, communicating with Him in intimacy, and making sure, as in the Hebrews passage (Hebrews 12:1, 2), that we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and … run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Father, I so want to reflect Your glory. Jesus I know that Your presence in me and through me, is perhaps the key ingredient in reaching others for You. Help me to do my part in putting into practice what I am admonished to do, for I know that when I do my part, You will do Yours. In Jesus Name Amen