Reflections

2 Corinthians 3:18
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.

Did you know that when Christ was crucified and He breathed His last, the curtain that hung in the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)? Did you know that this curtain was there to separate the people, the commoners, from the holiest of places in the temple, where the Ark and the very presence of God was? It was only the High Priest who was allowed to go in there, behind the curtain, to be with God. The rest of the people were completely dependent on how God saw their priest to determine how their lives would work out for the next year.

The tearing of the curtain was God’s way of removing the veil that separated us from beholding the fullness of His beauty and glory. With it removed from our vision we are able to see the glory of the Lord as though we are looking in a mirror! This is important because a lot of times we seek to attain the image of Christ, but the Bible tells us we are beholding Him already as in a mirror.

Why, then, are there so many Christians who are not seeing themselves as God sees them: a reflection of Christ’s perfect, finished work? Because they have put the veil back over their own eyes, or more appropriately, they have had their eyes veiled. They have replaced the perfect image of Jesus with a reflection of who they are based on the Laws and commandments that were given to Moses (2 Corinthians 3:15). This re-veiling is a direct result of the “grace-but” teaching that is so common.

It’s “You’re saved by grace, but your works, sacrifice, and obedience are what God is looking for to make you whole” teaching that is re-veiling the Christian from seeing who they are in Christ. This is important to know because it isn’t until you know your status with God, who you are in Christ, that you begin to see His power made manifest in your life.

The word translated in this passage as “being transformed” is the same word that was used when Jesus went up on the mountain with Peter, James, and John and was “transfigured” (Mark 9:2). It’s a done deal; the act is completed. We have been transfigured from glory to glory. In essence, Paul is telling us that we have gone from the glory of the old Mosaic covenant under law to the new Christian covenant under grace! From the glory that was fading (2 Corinthians 3:7) to the glory that excels (2 Corinthians 3:10-11), that is in the finished work of Jesus Christ!

Because of Christ, you are a changed person. There is no more changing that you need to do. There are no more “issues” in your life that you need to resolve; He has transformed you into His image. The Father no longer sees you in your sin, failure, or shame, but rather in the light of the finished work of Jesus Christ. He sees you as transformed from the glory under law to the super-abundant glory that is found in His Grace. He is the Transformer, not you. When He looks at you He sees perfection.

But more than wanting you to know how He sees you, God wants you to see yourself in the same light. He wants you to behold Jesus Christ and know that He sees you as He sees Jesus. He doesn’t want you looking at yourself and examining your faults; God wants you looking to Jesus and recognizing that He’s completed you. He’s restored, redeemed, saved, healed, blessed, and provided for you in His Son, Jesus Christ. Look in the mirror: who do you see?