Have you ever wondered what it means to be transformed by the Spirit of the Lord? 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 is a powerful passage that reveals the amazing work of God in our lives.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
There are three key points that I want to highlight from this passage:
- The Lord is the Spirit.
This means that Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all, is also the Spirit who dwells in us and gives us life. He is not a distant or impersonal deity, but a personal and intimate friend who loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. He is the one who sets us free from sin, guilt, fear, and bondage. He is the one who empowers us to live according to his will and purpose.
- We contemplate the Lord’s glory.
This means that we fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3). We meditate on his beauty, his grace, his power, his wisdom, his love, and his holiness. We worship him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We seek him in his word, in prayer, in fellowship, and in service. We reflect on what he has done for us on the cross and in our lives.
- We are being transformed into his image.
This means that as we behold Jesus, we become more like him. The Holy Spirit works in us to change us from the inside out. He renews our mind, heals our heart, shapes our character, and guides our actions. He makes us more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. He makes us more humble, obedient, courageous, generous, compassionate, and holy. He makes us more like Jesus.
This is a wonderful and amazing process that God has initiated in us when we believed in Jesus. It is not something that we can achieve by our own effort or merit. It is not something that happens overnight or without challenges. It is something that requires our cooperation and participation. It is something that will continue until the day when we see Jesus face to face and become like him completely (1 John 3:2).
So how can we cooperate and participate in this process of transformation? Here are some practical steps that I suggest:
- Spend time with Jesus every day. Read his word, talk to him in prayer, listen to his voice, and obey his commands.
- Seek the filling of the Holy Spirit every day. Ask him to fill you with his presence and power. Surrender to his control and guidance. Follow his leadings and promptings.
- Join a community of believers who love Jesus and love one another. Share your life with them. Encourage them and be encouraged by them. Serve them and be served by them. Learn from them and teach them.
- Use your gifts and talents to glorify God and bless others. Find out what God has called you to do and do it with excellence and passion. Be faithful in your responsibilities and opportunities.
- Be open to God’s work in your life. Allow him to prune you, refine you, correct you, and mold you. Don’t resist or reject his discipline or instruction. Don’t settle for less than his best for you.
I hope this has inspired you to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus and a greater transformation by his Spirit. Remember that he loves you more than you can imagine and he has a wonderful plan for your life. He wants you to be free from everything that hinders you from becoming who he created you to be. He wants you to be transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.
