2 Corinthians 3:12-18: a reflection

12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face so that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away. 14But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away. 15But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Paul describes the wonderful thing that happens as we come to Christ. When someone turns to the Lord, he says, the veil is removed, the veil that had kept people from seeing. And then: We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from one degree of glory to another, by the Spirit. As we behold the glory of the Lord, gaze on him, we are gradually transformed into his likeness, changed from glory to glory by the Spirit at work in us.

Notice how the transformation happens: by beholding. We are transformed into Christ's image, Paul says, by beholding his glory. It is not primarily by striving, by our own efforts to change ourselves, but by gazing on Christ, fixing our attention on him, that the Spirit transforms us into his likeness. We become like what we behold; and as we behold Christ, we are changed into his image, gradually, from glory to glory.

That gives us a key to being transformed. We often try to change ourselves by sheer effort, focusing on our faults and striving to fix them. But Paul points to a different way: beholding Christ. As we fix our gaze on him, contemplate his glory, keep our attention on him, the Spirit transforms us into his likeness, more than our striving ever could. Do not try to transform yourself only by effort. Behold Christ, gaze on his glory in his word, fix your attention on him, and let the Spirit transform you into his image, from glory to glory. We become like what we behold; behold Christ, and be transformed into his likeness.

Lord, Paul says that as we behold the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, we are transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit. Thank you that I am changed not primarily by my own striving, but by beholding you. I often try to change myself by sheer effort, focusing on my faults and struggling to fix them. But you transform me as I fix my gaze on Christ, contemplate his glory, keep my attention on him. Help me behold Christ, gaze on his glory in your word, fix my attention on him, and let your Spirit transform me into his likeness, more than my striving ever could. I become like what I behold; help me behold Christ, and be changed into his image, from one degree of glory to another. Transform me by the beholding of your glory.