MIRROR

I’m sure you have spent some time in front of a mirror whether it be in the morning, afternoon or at night. You look at what you see and you try to transform that image into something that you feel is presentable to the rest of the world.

Paul speaks of a different kind of a mirror in his second letter to the church at Corinth:

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 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

Remember whenever Moses went into God’s presence, he lifted the veil and, as a result, he glowed brightly with the glory of God (Ex. 34:29-35). Christ lifted the veil that kept us from coming to God when He gave His life for us on the cross.

Instead of merely being able to enter that Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or temple where He resided, His Holy Spirit lives inside of us as believers in Christ. We are in God’s presence simply by trusting Jesus as our Savior after we have repented of our sins.

Every time we read God’s Word, we are in His presence. His Word, the Holy Bible, acts as a mirror of our lives to see how closely we resemble God, our Creator. He has given us specific things in His Word that can tell us whether we are closer to being like Him:

• Are we thinking about things that are noble, true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise? (Philippians 4:8)

• Are we displaying the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23)

• Are we thinking of others more than ourselves? (Philippians 2:3-4)

The word transformed is the same word used in Matthew 17:2 when Jesus was transfigured in front of Peter, James and John. The Greek word metamorphoō is used. From that word, we derive our English word metamorphosis. Perhaps the most graphic image of metamorphosis is seen in the process of a plain cocoon turning into a magnificent butterfly. It is transformed from one thing into an entirely different thing.

That is why we are to be transformed from a person who used to be a sinner, to a saint set apart to God, holy and righteous through Jesus Christ.

Does the Bible speak elsewhere of being transformed? Look at Paul’s letter to the Romans:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Two more questions as I close:

• Do you like what you see in the mirror of God’s Word?
• How much time are you spending in front of God’s mirror?

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD