Mirror Image part 3
I want to use today to Rant about one of my favorite Bible verses. And yes, I know they're all my favorite. My pastor is the same way, and I'm happy to take after him. But this verse I pretty much wrote a whole book about. (Identity Crisis, check it out.) Ready? 2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." The context here is the Law of Moses being a veil. And when that veil is taken away, that's when we look into the mirror (or glass) with an open face. Basically, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14). When the Law is preached, sin (unbelief) revives. Because all the Law can do is point out your failings. It demands perfection without being able to produce it. It can only tell you what is wrong with you, not what is right with you. Only grace can SHOW you what is right with you. You look in the mirror--with the eyes of grace--and you see the real you. You see Jesus. You see the glory of the Lord, and you are changed into that image FROM glory TO glory. Remember we started this Rant series with the truth that we were made in His image? We aren't changed from crap to glory. We start with glory. We start with being the light of the world. But it takes Jesus--also the light of the world--shining in our hearts before we REALIZE what we are. WHO we are. It's when we stop looking AT things and start looking INTO things that we see what's really there. Not the surface stuff. Not actions, or appearances. But the deep stuff. The real stuff. The inner man, hidden man of the heart stuff. Not what you do, but what you believe. Because what you do FLOWS from what you believe. Behavior modification (which is what the Law tries to do) doesn't bring a real, lasting change. It can't. It's external. And real lasting change--from glory to glory--must come from within. We look in the mirror and see what's really there. And then we fill ourselves to overflowing with what we've been filled with. And then it comes out. Naturally. All on it's own. Not try really hard to be someone you're not. Not fake it 'til you make it. But instead... "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:29-30 MSG). It's about rest. The unforced rhythms of grace. It's about recovering your life. Not trying to be someone you're not, but understanding (and BEING) who you really are. Not trying to live Jesus' life--nobody can do that except Jesus--but EXPERIENCING Jesus' life as He lives it in you, and through you, and as you. Seeing your true self in the mirror. Seeing JESUS in the mirror. And then, when you see YOURSELF correctly, you can begin to see OTHERS correctly. Once you receive it, you can release it. Once the truth is true for you... that's when you can be a witness and share the gospel. Share the love!