Liberty to be Transformed

Bob Hoekstra

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.  (2Co_3:18)
Living day by day under the new covenant of grace allows the Holy Spirit to liberate us spiritually. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2Co_3:17). Where the Holy Spirit is allowed to work, there is liberty to be transformed.
This transformation process is for every believer who is willing to live by the terms of the new covenant: "But we all." The terms are simple: renounce self-sufficiency ("Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves" — 2Co_3:5) and rely on God's sufficiency ("but our sufficiency is from God" — 2Co_3:5). Those who reject human resources (the flesh) seek God "with unveiled face." They come humbly, without any veils of pretense or self-justification.
Coming to the Lord in this manner brings an ongoing blessing: "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord." Three mirrors reflect the glory of Christ from heavenly places into the experience of the redeemed here on earth: the creation, the church, and the scriptures. The universe declares His glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psa_19:1). Also, the Lord can be seen living in His people. "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2Co_4:11). These two mirrors are helpful, but they can be distorted by sin. The mirror that reflects the Lord's glory flawlessly is His word. "The law of the LORD is perfect . . . these  (the scriptures) are they which testify of Me" (Psa_19:7; Joh_5:39).
As we humbly seek the Lord in His word, we behold His glory therein. The wonderful consequence is we "are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." From one area after another, from one degree to another, we are being changed into the likeness of the glorious one we are beholding. This process is carried on as only the Holy Spirit could do it: "just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
 Dear Heavenly Father, I long to be more like Your Son. Forgive me for neglect of Your word. Please draw me consistently to the scriptures, that I might humbly behold the glory of Jesus. Thank You for the work of Your Spirit, who is able to transform me into a growing Christlikeness, Amen.