2 Corinthians 3.18 And
we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being
transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the
Lord, who is the Spirit. – St. Paul
Paul speaks, in 2 Corinthians 3, of the Spirit, saying: He [God] has made us competent as ministers
of a new covenant—not of the letter [Law] but of the Spirit; for the letter
[law] kills, but the Spirit gives life. And I say, the way of the Spirit is
hard, but sets us free.
We have a house guest this week, and this morning we were
talking about what it takes in our lives to follow Jesus. We discussed our
personal paths to this point in our lives (in our 60s), and the success we’ve
had (little to none) in living according to our own rule – the letter or law of our own existence. The general consensus
being: how’s that working for ya?
Life with God may not be perfect as it strives for
perfection, but it is a life of ever increasing progress. I know many whom I would say: they’re making better progress in their young lives than I have, to this
point, in my 60s. I’m not to compare myself to them and their
accomplishments – whatever they may be – but I am to keep my slow-learning eyes
focused on God, and what He is doing in me to get it. God is the Spirit. And I
am well-served to contemplate that truth.
Life ought to be filled with contemplation of God and
what He is doing. Life ought to be a process of thinking about the Lord – Jesus
– who is working in us to live the life orchestrated by His Spirit; and when we
do we ought to arrive at the conclusion that the Spirit is Him, He is the Spirit. (No kidding Captain Obvious!) I told you I
was remedial…
I for one, wish I’ve made more progress at this point. I,
for one, realize just how ineffective I’ve been to this point, but am getting
it, that I, for one, have been my biggest source of retardation. However, I
believe today that the retardation is diminished more today than it was
yesterday; and I for one, [with] all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the
Lord’s glory, am being transformed
into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from [Him] the Lord [Jesus],
who is the Spirit.
And I for one, realize that I need Him more today than
yesterday, and with my face unveiled to see it, am happy.
Thank God that though He’s removed the veil of the Law,
He’s replaced it with His Spirit. Thanks be to God, for His indescribable Gift!
Lord, I admit I am
slow of heart to believe, but Lord, I believe. And Lord, I believe because of
Your Holy Spirit, I believe more today than yesterday. Help me not to glory in
myself, but to contemplate on what You are doing with ever-increasing glory,
and give You praise – Amen.
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