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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 its context, our text is speaking about looking into the Law of God, just like Moses did on Mt. Sinai, and encountering in that Law the very presence of God Himself – His glory. As that happens, Paul says, the Spirit within us begins to do a work of transformation in our souls. Taking the raw material – which is our old life, now redeemed – He uses the glory of God in the Law – and, indeed, in all His Word – to shape, sculpt, and transform us into the very image of Jesus Christ. We begin to be more like Jesus as the Law and Word of God, in the strong hands of the Holy Spirit, does its work in our souls.
Thus we are liberated by the Law of God from the old person we used to be – with all our foolish and corrupt notions and sentiments, and all our wayward priorities and practices – into someone who begins to reflect the character, values, and works of Jesus Christ. Back in the late 19th century Charles Sheldon made a small fortune inviting readers to ask, “What would Jesus do?” in any situation as a way of following Him more consistently. In our own generation we have seen that slogan and passion revived. This shows us that, in their heart of hearts, Christians want to be like Jesus.
This is a very good thing, of course. We’re tired of the old sinful person we were. We chafe against the continuing presence of the law of sin in our hearts. We want some relief from the daily barrage of temptations that so often leads us astray. If only we could be liberated from all this so as to become more like Jesus!
Well, Paul tells us the answer lies in the glory of God which He has encoded in His Law. The Law of God is the law of liberty because it frees us to be like Jesus.
The psalmist says that the righteous person meditates day and night in God’s Law (Ps. 1). Would like to get started in this discipline? Order a copy of The Ground for Christian Ethics and The Law of God. The first will explain the importance3 of God’s Law, and guide you in taking up the practice of daily reading and meditation. The second provides all the statutes, precepts, and rules of God’s Law organized under their proper number of the Ten Commandments.