Posted on 09/03/2015 4:45:15 AM PDT by metmom
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 from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Holy Spirits transforming work is a central part of the believers sanctification.
The childrens fable The Ugly Duckling wonderfully illustrates the Holy Spirits transforming work in believers. The story is about an ugly young bird who cant fit in with any of the other animals. Its not until he encounters the beautiful swans that his life starts changing. The swans are an irresistible attraction for the duckling, something he cant forget after they leave for the winter. Finally he makes the amazing discovery the following spring that in spite of his feelings of inferiority, he is not a duck but a swan, just like those creatures he has admired.
The days immediately following our conversion to Christ are often similar to the ugly ducklings final experiences. We have a great sense of sinful unworthiness and yet a powerful attraction to Jesus Christ. We respond that way because we now know that character-wise He represents all we were created to be. And we soon come to realize that its both a humbling and exciting process to be transformed into Christs image.
Todays Scripture, my favorite verse, is an excellent short description of the Spirits transforming work. We wont see the glory of the Lord perfectly right away, but we begin to see it with greater clarity once we know Jesus Christ by faith.
Paul is referring to our basic sanctification, which is a progressive process by which the Spirit changes us from one level of Christlikeness to another. The end result will be our glorified position in Heaven, which is the Holy Spirits goal for us and the reason for our hope. The Spirit reveals what we will be in Christ: Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is (1 John 3:2).
Suggestions for Prayer
Pray that you would focus more on Christ and less on yourself as the Spirit transforms your life.
For Further Study
Read Psalm 40:1-10.
What general attitude does David have in that passage? How many times does he mention God there?
ping
Good stuff this morning :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.