The Word – Feb. 7, 2012 - TRUE WORSHIP

"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" (11 Corinthians 3:18).

The Bible teaches that we become like what we worship. That important truth is found in today’s Scripture text. I suggest we break it down in a way that will open truth in a positive way.

"But we all-that is, all true believers with open or unveiled face. Sin causes a veil between our faces and the Lord. When we confess and forsake the sin, then we have an open or unveiled face; meaning absolutely nothing to cloud the connection between us and the Lord. Then, beholding as in a mirror, referring to the Word of God, in which we now can behold the glory of the Lord, referring to His moral excellence.

In the Bible we gaze upon the perfection of His character, the beauty of all His works and ways; and then we are changed into the same image....(can you believe it?) we become like Him. We are changed by beholding, and the more we are occupied with Him, the more like Him we become!

This change is from glory to glory, from one degree of glory to another. The change does not take place all at once, it is a progression. It is a process that continues as long as He is the center of our lives. This transformation of our character is the result of the Spirit of the Lord within us. The Holy Spirit produces likeness to Christ only in those who are occupied by faith with the Savior as He is revealed in the Bible.

The way to holiness in our lives is through being occupied with our Lord and Savior. It is impossible to be occupied with Him and to consider sin at the same time. Our goal should ever be, to be so occupied with Him that our minds are literally transformed, renewed as we become more like Him! Then, Romans 12:2 tells us, we can know God's perfect will for our life. Dear Lord, may it ever be so for Your honor and glory!