Beholding the Glory of the Lord, and Continuing in It

Beholding the Glory of the Lord, and Continuing in It

We read an astounding word in 2 Corinthians 3:18. There we read about being transformed from glory to glory; in other words about a life that is becoming better and better, a life that is gaining in content. Who wouldn’t want to experience that? But then we ought to pay close at­tention to the conditions necessary for this to occur. First of all, it means having an “unveiled face;” which means that our conversion is true and wholehearted. Secondly, it means that we always behold the glory of the Lord, as we read that Stephen did when he was stoned and gazed into heaven. Stephen saw God’s glory! Beholding something means that we are apprehended of what we see—not just superficially casting a glance in that direction or looking that way during a blessed meeting. James writes just as amazingly that the person who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it is blessed in what he does. Continue to look into the perfect law of liberty, which is God’s own Word, His com­mandments and laws, even His glory.

When Moses desired to see God’s glory, God showed him His good­ness. God’s glory is His entire being, all His virtues. But let us stay with what the Lord Himself wanted to show Moses when he desired to see His glory; namely, His goodness. Shouldn’t we, who by nature are not good, and who in Romans 3:12 are described as having gone out of the way, being ungodly and unprof­itable concerning doing the good, shouldn’t we have the best of reasons for beholding God’s goodness, and be awestruck and long to be good to the point of being transformed into the same image! From glory to glory! From goodness to even more goodness! Looking into perfection and continuing with it! Yes, continue with it without ceasing, without be­ing caught up in any other interest. It is particularly vital to behold the glory of the Lord in the hour of trial. This is worshiping in spirit and truth.

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus engaged in conversation on His way through Samaria was occupied with where a person ought to wor­ship, whether “on this mountain” or in Jerusalem. Then Jesus explained to her what true worship is: “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth . . . .” John 4:23. When we read about Jesus’ humili­ation, His way in humility—that He suffered unjustly and repayed evil with good—we think that that is really great. But when it is our turn to suffer a little bit of injustice—our turn to humble ourselves—can we then say, “This is really great,” or do we turn our backs on what we under the preaching of God’s word, praised as being great? Perhaps it is no longer so great and glorious in our eyes in the hour of trial? This is where the difference between the true worshipers and those who have only an appearance of godliness be­comes evident.

Paul gloried in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. “For by it the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Gal. 6:14. He por­trayed this crucified life so clearly before the Galatians’ eyes that they would see the greatness of it. He gave them an opportunity to see the glory of the Lord so that they would be transformed from glory to glory. However, the Galatians were fool­ish, and those who had begun in the Spirit were now in danger of “being made perfect” by the flesh.” Gal. 3:1-4. The Galatians needed, just as we need in our days, the exhortation to behold the glory of the Lord and continue with it.

“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.” 2 Cor. 3:18.