Transformed into the Same Image – by Tom Durst
Dec 31, 2015 1771
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.—Proverbs 4:18 NLT
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 ESV
The spiritual journey is one of ever growing, learning, facing new challenges everyday, and above all else one of continual surrender and trust in the Lord. The images of “first gleam of dawn” and “from one degree of glory to another” portray gentleness and patience.
Our Lord does not force us to change but step by step reveals more of His will for us and prompts us to lay aside those ungodly things which hurt ourselves and others. So often in my times of prayer I am convicted of corrections that I need to make and sometimes this is very humbling indeed. There is also a great sense of peace and empowerment as I move forward, ever desiring to be more like my Savior in the way that I relate to others.
We must especially be careful as we observe the endless conflicts that dominate our world and not allow ourselves to get dragged into them and thus lose our own peace and spiritual power. It is so easy to think that we are better than others. Our behavior may be better than many others but Jesus is our perfect standard and it is to Him that we must continually look.
We are never to compare ourselves with others (see 2 Corinthians 10:12). We need to remember that although we fall infinitely short of God’s perfect standard that Jesus is our perfect righteousness before God. We strive to DO righteousness because in Christ we ARE always fully righteous. Praise God for the simplicity of the gospel message.
– Tom Durst. Used with permission from the Union With God Devotional Forum.
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