Beholding and Becoming

March 05, 2022

What are you beholding?

Beholding and Becoming

By Brooke Holt

“And 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. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Yesterday, we read that a veil is removed from our hearts when we turn to the Lord. That veil represents the written law and the separation between God and humankind. Throughout the Old Testament, that veil represented protection—as when Moses covered his face with a veil after leaving the presence of the Lord. After Moses spoke with God, his face shone with the reflected glory of God. Even that reflection was overwhelming and frightening to the people. The veil protected them from that glory and from seeing their sinfulness in light of that glory.

The glory of God still reveals sin, and the glory of God is still overwhelming and frightening. However, Jesus stepped in to bridge the chasm that separated man and God, the separation caused by sin and rebellion. Through Jesus’s shed blood on the cross, all that sin and rebellion is covered for those who look to him and trust in him. God forgives their sin and calls his people into his presence. Once there, there is no need for a veil, no need to hide from his glory because of his grace.

That is the miracle of reconciliation between sinful mankind and a holy God. And our reconciliation is followed by another great miracle. As one turns to the Lord and has the veil removed, the Holy Spirit comes upon that person. What was once external becomes internal. God writes his law on the hearts of his people. There is now freedom from fear and condemnation. Instead, we have an open invitation to fellowship with our Creator! God invites his children to behold his glory.

How does humankind behold the glory of the Lord? Through reading his Word, seeking his face, delighting in his creation, and continually opening our hearts before him. Paul compares it to looking in the mirror and seeing a reflection. Thankfully, when we look into the mirror of the Lord, we don’t have to see just our reflection. We can look for the growing reflection of Jesus, as his righteousness becomes our righteousness.

And if that were not enough, Paul reminded his readers of more. The more we behold the glory of God, the more we become like him. His righteousness fills our souls. His desires become our desires. We see with his eyes and hear with his ears. We long to do his will on this earth, to love him, and then to love his people.

Lent is a season to consider our lives. What are you beholding? What are you becoming? Are you becoming more like Christ, or are you becoming more like the things of this world? The more you behold, the greater your transformation into the image of Jesus Christ. Your holiness is never the result of your work, your determination, or your willpower. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in you!

May this Lenten season be one of beholding the King of kings and Lord of lords, and may these forty days transfigure you to become more like Jesus!

Reflection:

What are you beholding? What are you becoming? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

The Crucified Life small group Christian study is designed to reflect upon the Seven Last Words of Christ from the cross and what they mean for us today. Walk the road of Calvary with Jesus in order to grow closer to Him. The Crucified Life small group study examines human suffering as it is mirrored in Christ’s suffering on the cross and what His seven last words say to a hurting world. Find out incredible insights into these words as Jesus teaches us, even in death, how we can use our suffering and triumph over it for His glory. Begin your Crucified Life today.