“The more we look at Christ in His Word the more we will look like Him in this world.”
That’s what I meant to say, and it would have been a great little ditty to write down in the margins next to 2 Corinthians 3:18. It is entirely likely I got this saying from someone else a long time ago and have forgotten the reference.
The idea Paul crafts in the context has to do with the truth of Christ revealed in the Scriptures, even in the Old Testament (v. 14), even in the Torah (v. 15). Whenever we read the Bible without turning to Christ, we read with a veil over our heads (what’s the point?). When we read the Bible turning to Christ, the veil is lifted! As we behold the glory of Christ by the Spirit in the Scriptures, we are led in sanctification. As we look at Christ in the word, we become like Him in the world.
The Holy Spirit gives life to us through the Scriptures by His ministry of revealing Christ through these words to our souls. The Spirit-empowered reading, teaching and proclamation of the Scriptures constitute God’s means of grace to save and sanctify, to convert and consecrate.
I did not proceed on Sunday to look at the following verses (2 Corinthians 4:1-7), although I greatly desired to do so. After calling the Corinthians his letter, Paul clarifies that his ministry to them has been one of faithfully preaching the word so that they are like a living letter testifying to Christ (3:1-3; 4:1-2). What unregenerate, unholy people are blinded to is nothing less than the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ”. What grace is it that such a light has shone upon us, and that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may see this light every time we come to the words of Holy Scripture! Note that in the Spirit’s ministry of renewing us into the image of God, this means us beholding in the Bible the image of God, Who is Christ, to become more like Him.
God, therefore, receives all the glory for our conversion and our sanctification. The treasure of the light of Christ reflecting in our souls is utterly attributed to the will of God and the power of God (vs. 6-7). Does this mean we “let go and let God” as the old saying goes? Hardly! The admonition to the blind given sight, the dark given light, the weak made strong is not “let go” but “take hold!” (Philippians 3:12)
I hope you enjoyed the leftovers.
-Bro. Michael
