Transformation Through Worship

“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 Cor. 3:18

As we behold His glory, we are transformed.  Being transformed means that we are becoming more and more like Christ.  This is called sanctification:  the process of becoming Christ-like.  As we all know, this is not an easy process.  Often we become more like Jesus through trials and difficulties, as the Lord chisels away at our character and reveals things we need to repent of.  In light of this, it is easy to become focused on our sin and shortcomings more than the glory of the Lord.

But in this passage we are told that transformation occurs by beholding the glory of the Lord and not by beholding our sin. What is the glory of the Lord?  The glory of the Lord is the fully revealed character and likeness of God.  The glory of the Lord is the brightness of God.  The glory of the Lord is His wonderful beauty and nature, in its fullness. 

Therefore, this passage teaches us that one of the best ways to grow as a Christian is to focus more on God than our own self and shortcomings.  As we see God for who He is (beholding His glory), we will fall more in love with Him and desire to be more like Him.

How do we behold His glory?  One of the best ways is through worship.  Worship is adoring God for who He is.   Worship is meditating on His many attributes.  Worshiping is repeating back to God who He is.  Worship is singing songs to the Lord that exalt His great nature.  Worship is surrendering our lives to Jesus!  The best way to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus is to worship God for who He is.

Finally, as we behold the glory of God, we will be transformed by His Spirit.  It is God’s Spirit that ultimately transforms us from the inside out.  We can rest in this great truth. 

One more thought on this awesome passage:  the only thing we are to do in this verse in order to be transformed …. is to behold God’s glory.

Behold God’s glory through worship, and watch God change your life!!!  

“Like the eye which sees everything in front of it and never sees itself, faith is occupied with the Object upon which it rests and pays no attention to itself at all.  While we are looking at God, we do not see ourselves – blessed riddance.  The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One.”  A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God.