Week 1 - From One Degree of Glory to Another - Followup

2 Corinthians 3:7 - 18


Memory Verse: "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


In modern Christianity, much is made of improvement. As I was reflecting on this fact, what was clear to me is that there are really 4 (maybe more) different models presented to us pertaining to the purpose of the Christian walk.


First, we have the "Weight-Loss" model. In this model, the believer is made to believe that they are really in need of a consistent improvement program. Rather like the trainer at the gym, Jesus is presented as the life coach. His purpose is to help you realize your full potential. He points out your fatty areas and applies a program of exercise and diet to ensure that you lose the pudge which is preventing you from meeting the full potential in you.





Second, we have the "Success" model. In this model, He is ordaining events to make you successful. He requires of you performance, in exchange for which, He gives you success in your christian experience and piles on the blessings. So long as you're meeting your part, He will ensure success in what you do.





Thirdly, we have the "Boy-Scout" model. In this model, the believer is made to see them self as climbing level after level of achievement. Earning as we go, heavenly merit badges. We work and work in small achievable steps, longing to reach the top of the mountain, where we raise our arms in triumph and hear the Lord say: "GOOD JOB!"





Finally, we have the old classic: the "Repentance" model. In this model, the believer is made to fear the fires of hell as a means of preventing you from stepping off of the wheel of performance. In this model, we see God, not as our redeemer, but He who demands unshaken compliance, else we will taste of His wrath.





Note that each one of these contains a grain of truth. Also, note that none of these requires as a means of the believer's salvation and sanctification either the atoning and wrath satisfying work of Jesus on the cross or the supernatural and transformative work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In fact, ALL of these are routinely the methods of cults, exercise programs and success coaches alike.





In this 3rd chapter of 2 Corinthians, we find the Apostle Paul in a rather defensive posture. He, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the means of the Gospel planted the church at Corinth. He loved these people with a deeply pastoral and God granted love. However, there were those who had come around Corinth as "Peddlers of God's word." We find in these peddlers those who were peddling much the same forms of Christianity as our present time.


In this study, we are going to see that our objective in the Christian life is far bigger than anything we could ever achieve, by fear or by accomplishment. Rather, we'll see, by His means we are transformed from one degree of glory to the next, into the very image of Jesus.


The Image of God, Creation and The Fall


Your assignment was to read the Genesis account of the creation of man. In this account, we see the Mighty and awesome God of creation in His splendor as He creates the heavens and the earth. With a word of His mouth, He creates every atom. He creates and calls His creation good. It doesn't take long, for a believer to see the glory of God in His creation. We see the wonder that is contained in the animal kingdom. We see it in the complexity of even the most simple of God's creatures. But it is the pinnacle of His creation, to which He grants the greatest gift: His image.


He says: "Let us make man in Our Image." He says: let us form man, not merely with the blessings of creation; life, provision and the subtle reflection of His glory. Not even the cognitive ability and power of the angels is enough. But with the ultimate reflection of His divine glory: His most glorious image. This gift was bestowed on our parents, Adam and Eve. They were like mirrors reflecting to Him the image of glory. This image is His image. In this creation, pre-fall, He is seated at the center of all and the very existence of man reflects Glory back to Him. Things are genuinely and truly good.


In this order man bears the dominion that reflects God's kingly reign and fatherly authority over all. In this order man bears the strongest resemblance to His creator, not for his benefit. Though it is of highest benefit to man. But so that God is in right position over His entire creation and most importantly in the greatest work of His hand: Adam and Eve.


We read with sadness, as Genesis continues to describe for us how man rejects the covenant blessings by violating the covenant requirement. God says: "in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." We see as the curse of decay and corruption lands on Adam and Eve and so too we inherit this corruption. This corruption tarnishes and perverts the image which was given to us at the beginning. We see this clearly when we see the work of man's hands. He reflects God's image in his ability to build, but perversions most striking influence is seen in the tower of Babel. A monolithic tribute to mans unique gifts and yet cursing the God whose image these gifts are designed to reflect.


To our modern day, we bear this corrupt, sinful and perverted image. God gave us the ability to reason, and we use it to reason Him away. God gave us the ability to create and build and we use it feed our insatiable desire for our own glory. We see this corruption in every facet of human existence, from eating to sex; from leadership and authority to our treatment of our parents and our children.


The Law of God and the Veil


For many years God saw fit, not to reveal Himself clearly to mankind. Though His glory, His divine attributes were clear in nature, He saw fit not to reveal Himself in His grace and mercy. Then, very slowly He began to work with a small handful of people. He calls Abraham and makes a covenant of grace with he and his descendants. He allows the slavery and bondage of the Jewish people in Egypt. He redeems them through the Red Sea. Yet they are wicked and refuse to see His gracious gifts. Into this darkness and the darkened hearts of the people of Israel, He shines a ray of His glory in divine revelation to Moses on Sinai. Here is where redemptive history meets our text. Paul expounds for his readers, what is happening as Moses returns from his receiving of God's law, God's revelation.


The people see Moses' face and are afraid. Rightly so! They are not afraid because he glows. They are afraid, because they are witness to the real, pure and holy glory of the living God. Paul demonstrates for us why this is, why they fear this glory in the revelation of God through Moses. He calls it a ministry of death. He says that it is a ministry which is being brought to an end. Yet again he calls it a ministry of condemnation. The law, Paul says, is to bring condemnation. To kill them. They know and are terrified of God's holiness. As the writer to the Hebrews says: "It is a terrifying thing, to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31


God's glory in the Law says to man: "You are not righteous!" It proclaims to man the ultimate righteousness, which he cannot keep and has not kept. Moses' face reflected the pure glory of God towards the people and they shrunk back in horror. So Moses' put on a veil from that day forward. They could not bear the residual reflection left by Moses' brief time in the presence of God.


This is the veil to which Paul refers. This veil, this separation is what prevents God's glory from striking out immediately and destroying the sinful person. The veil existed for the people of Israel in that every time that the Law was read to their unregenerate hearts, they were turned on their heals and they literally could not take in the glory of the living God. In the same way, many today catch a glimpse of God's glory in His law and they run. We too should run, if it weren't for the ministry of life, given by the Spirit. For some we run, not by ignoring the law, but by picking and choosing small pieces that in our tiny and self flattering minds we don't see much struggle with. We make the sin that we don't struggle with BIG in our theology, yet the sin that we can't shake, we justify, we disguise or pretend it isn't even sin. For others, we hear the law and the door isn't close enough. "Just get me away!" Our society reflects this, doesn't it. These predominately (if statistics are to be believed) churched, believers in God, would have no mention of the name Jesus. All of this to keep the veil thick between them and the holiness that they rightly fear.


The Ministry of Life in the Revelation of Jesus


This is all incredibly bad news. There is no "self-help" program that can rectify this gulf between us and God. And this is what the Jews would always attempt to do. Maybe if we try really hard. If we interpret the ministry of death just right we'll get it. If we are meticulous, we'll achieve the requirement. "God knows your heart. He knows you want to please Him." The only problem is that we don't, not enough.


The problem is that you can't to the ministry of death seeking life. All it will ever do is condemn you. Into which Paul, by the Holy Spirit, gives this incredibly good news. If the news of the ministry of condemnation, is so bad that the glory God reflected in it causes us to recoil in horror. Then we need good news, far bigger than just being a better person. We don't need simply the shedding of a few sins.


In the garden we lost, in large part, the image and the reflected glory of God. We lost the ability to reflect this glory. We became children of lostness, children of wrath and we were marked by the image of Adam. John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." You see glory, WAS in Jesus. And as He became a man, the face of Glory came into sight. Like Adam, but uncorrupted, Jesus came as a man. "Coming in the likeness of sinful flesh". Bringing the ultimate revelation of God. So that when we turn from our sinful human effort and place our trust in Jesus, Paul says here, that the veil is removed. The very object which prevents us from taking in the glory of God is taken out of the way. We are set free.


In the place of the dreadful and awesome ministry of death is the most GLORY-FILLED ministry of life. Paul calls it a ministry of righteousness. And the word ministry here is "Diakaneo", or ministration. This ministry is performed, not by us, but by the Spirit of God. Unlike anything that we do, it doesn't tarnish the image. It is the very ministry and act of giving life. And this glory, which I hope you are seeing is the image of the living God, is the wonderful image of God as it begins to reflect on our faces. "And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of God - in the face of Jesus - are being transformed into the same very image."


You see, it is as we see Jesus, the God-man, the last and most clear revelation of God to His people (Hebrews 1) that we are transformed. We don't take shape by programs, we take shape by beholding God in Jesus. And once the veil is removed, the ministry of death is no longer in effect and the Spirit of God begins to transform us, from one degree of glory to the next. We see here, God's purpose for His people. To reflect His glory, His image. The word Christian, means Christ-like!


Restoration of the Image of God


This verse is a promise to us. We are being transformed as we make our way to that glorious day when all things are consummated and we are complete in Christ. The day when we are restored to the image of God and all sin, imperfection and corruption is done away within us. What a glorious objective that we have. What grace is given to us, as trusting ones in the beloved! May the Spirit of the Living God, cause the Glory of God, the image of God revealed to us in the face of Jesus, proclaimed to us in His word to transform us until that glorious day when Jesus restores all of creation.


How is this done?


Just as God uses the means of rain, growth, planting and harvest to provide food for His creation, He uses particular means to reveal Jesus to His people in the same way to which Paul is referring. The Holy Spirit, uses the word, the scripture, to reveal to us the face of Jesus. And it is this revelation that IS the means of grace by which we are being transformed from one degree of glory to the next.


This is the purpose of this study. May God add His rich blessing to the next 8 weeks. May we dig deep together in His word and behold Jesus, wide eyed like children again! May we quit playing with lesser means and go right to the well and drink deeply.