Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #82

From Glory to Glory (3:18)

3:12-18 "Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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 from the Lord, the Spirit."

When Paul describes the ever-increasingness of the Spirit’s work of sanctification in our souls, he uses the words, "from glory to glory." I’m not sure that’s how most of us would describe it. Oh, we can grasp the "to glory" part: we all understand that Christians are going to be perfected in glory when we get to heaven. It’s the "from glory" part that trips us up. How can who I am now be described with the word "glory"?

If you have no glory then you have no salvation. If Christ is not living in you and manifesting Himself through your life to SOME extent, then you are still lost in your sins.

Christian, do you know who you are? You are the masterpiece of God (that’s basically what Paul means in Eph.2:10 when he says, " we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works"). You are the earthen vessel that contains the treasure of God’s glory (2Cor.4:7). You are God’s great project of renovation, being changed from a person of lawlessness and sin to a person of righteousness and glory. If you are in Christ, then the work has already begun and, though there is still much to do, the glory of Christ has already begun to shine through your life.

You say you don’t see it? That’s not necessarily bad. We ought to see changes taking place by the power of God. However, we’re not supposed to be taken with our glory, but with our need and with His glory. And yet it is also the duty of every believer to stand (or kneel) before God and say, "I praise you, my Redeemer, for the good work that You have done in my life." If we fail to do this, we do not dishonor ourselves but God. It is false humility to say or think that there is nothing good in me that Christ has done.

My Father, I praise You for changing my heart, for giving me faith, for breaking my pride. I praise You that You are in the process of recreating me to reflect the image of Your blessed Son. Please may the glory of Christ already imparted to me thrive and flourish so that my life shines brighter and brighter with His radiance.