"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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 3:17-18)
How do we change?
We often talk about the 'means of grace' as the way we change. This includes Bible reading, prayer, participation in our local church community, and corporate worship. However, someone can do all these things and not experience genuine change.
So how do we change?
Strictly speaking, we are not changed by the means of grace. We are changed by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace.
This transformation is the Holy Spirit bringing true freedom to our blind, sin addicted hearts. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
While singing of the glory of Jesus our hearts may be numb and disengaged. However, we may suddenly begin to sense the beauty of what we are singing about. What is happening? The Spirit is lifting the veil so that we can truly see the Lord Jesus.
In that moment, "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."
The Holy Spirit alone can open our eyes and lift the veil. When He does this, suddenly the truth of what we are reading, singing, praying about, or hearing preached becomes real to us. Suddenly our affections begin to be stirred and our hearts begin to soften and melt.
As our hearts begin to truly worship the Lord, we become a little more conformed to His image. Like a young boy who finishes watching an exciting baseball game and runs out into the yard with his bat and glove, we all long to imitate what we see as glorious.
mark mcandrew
Mark is the lead teaching pastor of North Avenue Church. You can listen to sermons from him and find more content at nacathens.org/media