And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
http://bible.com/59/2co.3.18.ESV
The King James version says “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord”. In this chapter about God’s great new covenant, where Paul has just finished defending his ministry, he is telling those in Corinth what it is to be unveiled. You see, just like today, many were blind without understanding.
God brings light and understanding to those who seek Him and believe Him and trust Him. In fact, His Spirit comes and lives in our vessel – and like water in a glass, His glory can be be seen in the lives of those that are His. And we who are His can see and recognize His glory.
We are each being changed from one glory to another means that He is changing us to be more like Him, a little at a time. We are no longer simply conformed to the ways of this world if we are His, He is alive in our lives, making Himself known to others through our changed lives. He is visible in our actions and words, and it becomes clear that our motivations are different than those things that motivate the world.
As He becomes more visible in our lives, our old ways of the flesh are replaced by the ways of His Spirit.
You see, being His isn’t about us trying on our own to live up to His standards – it is about surrendering our cup to be filled up with His will. It is about being Holy Spirit filled, not possessed by a spirit of rebellion, but filled with a spirit that produces good fruit.
People of flesh can practice religion until their flesh returns to dust and never be filled with the Holy Spirit of Christ alive in their lives. People can be veiled with no understanding that Jesus Christ truly conquered the grave for them, that He laid down His life – not just for us to be free from sin, but for us to follow and be students, disciples, of the Word of God, carriers of the very Spirit of Christ, to do the same works, even greater works.
John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
Do you believe what, He says? Not about what you can do, but what His Spirit can do through you? You are just a willing vessel filled with the living waters of His Holy Spirit, friends, or you are an empty vessel built for a purpose but not being used.
You are built for a purpose, friend. And if you are not yet unveiled, I am a voice crying out in the darkness – not with my own message, but with His message, “Open your eyes, friend. Let your vision be restored to see His glory. Let your lameness be healed so you can walk in His will. Stand, take up your cross, walk, and receive the overflowing of His Spirit into your life today, friends. Go forth and see this world changed as He is manifest through your life.”
Glory upon glory.
Our experience tells us that a single taste shouldn’t be enough for us to turn away from the poison that we have been drinking and to be changed – but God come in the flesh of Jesus Christ promises you,
John 4:14
“but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
I don’t want you to drink the Kool-aid of religion. I want you to taste the living waters of a Spiritual awakening to your purpose as a vessel of the Holy Spirit. Yes, if you are veiled you might only see the religion, the law, which is NOT what I’m talking about. Stop looking at the tree and see the root, see the vine that they are grafted into, and know Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, to whom every head will bow and every tongue will confess. He is the light, the truth, and the way.
Examine yourselves, friends. Do you know your purpose as a vessel of the Holy Spirit? Are you being changed glory upon glory to reflect the image of Christ to the world around you? One step at a time, glory upon glory.
Just step out.
Open your eyes.
He is Faithful and True.
Trust Him.
And you will know Him.
Harold J. Ballinger 