TRANSFORMED FROM GLORY TO GLORY

“Being TRANSFORMED into the same image from GLORY to GLORY, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” – 2 Corinthians 3:18b

Believers are called to be TRANSFORMED FROM GLORY to GLORY: “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). This striking and loaded phrase – “from glory to glory” – sums up the entire Christian life, from redemption and sanctification on earth, to our glorious eternal welcome into heaven. The first “glory” is that of the Old Covenant – the Law of Moses; while the second is that of the New Covenant, the Gospel of Christ. The Old Covenant, which is the root of our Christian Faith, was given to Moses directly from God, written by God’s own finger, and therefore glorious (Exo.31:18). It is the glory we’re coming “from.” Yet the New Covenant, the glory we’re going “to,” far surpasses that of the Old.

Our transformation is from the glory of the Law, which like the stone it was written on, was inflexible, applying to all Israelites without due regard for individual circumstances (Heb.10:28). Though holy, good, and righteous in itself (Rom.7:12), the Law was, for sinners, the letter that kills (v.6). It was an external force to control behaviour and merely a temporary guardian until something better came along (Gal.3: 23-25). In addition, stone, despite its strength, is earthly and will ultimately wear away.

Our transformation is to the glory of the New Covenant, which far surpasses the Old in every way. It forgives of sin and gives sinners life (Jh.6:63). It is written on believers’ hearts by the Holy Spirit, so that our obedience to God springs up from within by God-given desires rather than by threats of legal retribution (Jer.31:33; v3). In place of a cold set of writings as a guide for pleasing God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit now make their home with us, fellowshipping in loving intimacy, teaching us everything we must know and do (Jh.14:23; 16:13). This position in Christ is as eternal, and spiritual as God Himself!

Believers must focus on the spiritual glory of the New Covenant rather than physical glory of the Old. Paul compared the two by recalling how Moses absorbed and reflected God’s glory after being in His presence (vv.7-11, 13; Exo.34:29-35). But that glory faded. Jesus’ glory keeps growing and glowing; and in union with Him, our glory grows and glows – so long as we keep close to Him, studying and obeying His Word, and fellowshipping with His Spirit and His people. Moreover, the latter glory is seen only with a believer’s spiritual eyes: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor.4:6).

God’s ultimate purpose and destination for every believer as we move from glory to glory, is to transform us into the image of His beloved Son, by the supernatural power in the glory of the New Covenant (v.18). Romans 8: 29-30 elaborates: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Also, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil.3: 20-21).

The most amazing miracle of redemption is that we grow from initial glory to greater glory as we contact the Source of Glory: God Himself. By the Spirit of God, not self-effort, we are progressively transformed to our Crescendo in Christ, with ever-increasing Glory, until we finish our life’s symphony in Him. As we keep looking at Jesus, we increasingly reflect His Glory!