APRIL 8, 2014
Getting
Beyond Ourselves
Read: 2
Corinthians 3:7-18
We all, . . . beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed. —2
Corinthians 3:18
I have one of those
friends who seems to be better than I am at just about everything. He is
smarter; he thinks more deeply; and he knows where to find better books to
read. He is even a better golfer. Spending time with him challenges me to
become a better, more thoughtful person. His standard of excellence spurs me on
to greater things.
That highlights a
spiritual principle: It’s crucial for us to spend time in God’s Word so we can
connect with the person of Christ. Reading about the impact of Jesus’
unconditional love for us compels me to love without demand. His mercy and His
free distribution of grace to the most undeserving make me ashamed of my
tendency to withhold forgiveness and seek revenge.
I find myself becoming
a more thankful person when I realize that, despite my shameful fallenness, the
Lord has clothed me in the beauty of His perfect righteousness. His amazing
ways and unsurpassed wisdom motivate and transform me. It’s hard to be content
with my life as it is when in His presence I am drawn to become more like Him.
The apostle Paul calls
us to the joy of beholding Christ. As we do so, we are “being transformed into
the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Lord, help us to come
into Your presence with eyes
and hearts wide open
to all that You are and want us
to become. Thank You
for revealing Yourself to us
and for the joy of
basking in the greatness of Your glory.
Stay close to God and you
will never be the same.
Insight
Paul underscores the
superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant (2 Cor. 3:7-11) by
referring back to Exodus 34:29-35. Moses’ face so radiated with God’s glory
after having communed with God that the Israelites were afraid to come near
Moses (Ex. 34:8). Paul says the ministry of the Spirit is much more glorious (2
Cor. 3:8).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
