The Law of Liberty (5)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3.18

Transforming our souls
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.

Daily reading and meditating in the Law of God has the potential for bringing us into the presence of God and His glory, where we see the very face of Jesus, and are transformed into that which we see (2 Cor. 4.6).

Do you want to be like Jesus? Stand in front of the mirror of God’s Law!

To be like Jesus!
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 19^th century Charles Sheldon made a stir among believers with his book, In His Steps. In this brief volume, Sheldon invited 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, with “What would Jesus do?” being etched onto Christian jewelry, tee shirts, and plaques in a money-making frenzy which knows a good thing when it sees it.

But what does this kitschy trend reveal? It 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 lead us astray. If only we could be liberated from all this 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.

Conditions
But becoming like Jesus entails some conditions, of course.

First, Paul says, we have to hope that this glory and transformation can actually occur within us (2 Cor. 3.12). That is, we have to believe that we can meet God in His Law – we can encounter His glory in the holy, righteous, and good teachings of His commandments, precepts, statutes, and rules. We believe that, when we go to the Law daily in the confident hopeof entering the glory of God, this will actually be our experience.

Then, second, we must be very bold to come before God in His Law and to linger there, waiting in patient meditation for the Spirit of God to do His work. This means we need to establish some discipline that will find us coursing through the Law of God on a regular basis. That might involve praying through the Ten Commandments daily, or reading the book of Deuteronomy over and over. Or even meditating on all the statutes and precepts of God’s Law, according to the commandment to which each applies.

Then, third, we must go forth unto God’s glory; we must come away from this encounter with God’s glory in His Law, looking for Jesus and fully determined to be like Him, to think and feel like Jesus, speak and do what Jesus would do.

As we thus go forward in faith, the Lord meets us in His Spirit, works out our salvation in us, and makes us able to do exceedingly abundantly more than all that we could ever ask or think (Phil. 2.13, Eph. 3.20). And so, in the daily course of our lives, we are liberated from our old selves into the new selves which are being made according to the righteousness of Jesus Christ and living for the glory of God (Eph. 4.17-24; 1 Cor. 10.31).

This is why God wrote His Law on our hearts when He sent His Spirit to dwell in us, so that, by His inward power and working, we might become more like Jesus.

For reflection or discussion
1.      To this point, what has been your approach to becoming more like Jesus? Can you see how this might be greatly enhanced by reading and meditating in God’s Law? Explain.

2.      The Law in God’s Word is the focus of our sanctification. The Law in our hearts provides the incentive for sanctification. And Jesus is the goal or outcome we seek in sanctification. Why does it make sense to spend more time reading and meditating in the Law of God?

3.      Can you expect to become more like Jesus apart from reading and meditating in His Law? Explain.

Next steps: Meditate on Matthew 24.12. Why does love decrease as lawlessness increases? Talk with some Christian friends about this question.

T. M. Moore

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This week’s ReVision study is Part 8 of a 10-part series, “Full Faith.” You can download “The Law of Liberty” as a free PDF, prepared for personal or group study. Simply click here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.