Focus on the Word for Freedom

 

2Cor. 3:17-18

Theme: New Testament Believers focus on our Lord Jesus Christ to experience the freedom of transformation.

Introduction:

Setbacks and struggles assert our need for maturity! We take two steps of progress only to face another three steps backwards! Genuine spiritual growth is a frustrating battle, but it is also necessary.

Holy change in this life is not immediate, comprehensive, or lasting. We must work hard to effect meaningful transformation; this fundamental aspect of our new life moves us to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Though it is not automatic, advancement can begin the very moment we are born again. Yes, the growth experience is a bit of a struggle.

Our change is a gradual alteration, and not a perpetual, rising sequence. Rather, it is like a stock-market chart. Some days up, some days down, but overall, we hope, an upward movement. Incremental improvements rather than sudden, dramatic changes are more likely. This can be extremely unnerving at times.  But it helps to know Jesus must be our focus and during frustrating setbacks it’s time to refocus on him…again. 

2 Corinthians 3:17-18, says Now the Lord is that Spirit [Holy Spirit]: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [freedom from bondage and obscurity]. But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed [transformed] into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Clearly this is an unearthly, splendid, series of lifelong changes wrought from the inside out by the Spirit of God advancing us believers from one level of the unveiled grandeur of Christ to the next superior similarity of Him.  This is the believer’s gradual transfiguration journey.  It is an inward renovation that has a palpable outward outcome. 

Message:

I.     Focus on the Producer of Change—The Spirit uses the Word of God— “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord….” (2Cor. 3:18)

A.    It Is True the Bible Is the Mirror That We Are to Gaze Into (2 Cor. 3:18).  The Bible is the mirror that we are to study, meditate upon, memorize, and apply to life situations. Once again Paul said, “But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord” (2Cor. 3:18). 

                                        1.     The word “glass” refers to a mirror, which is a type or representation of the Word of God (1Cor. 13:12; Js. 1:23). 

i.       1 Corinthians 13:12, For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

ii.     James 1:23-24, For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

                                        2.     The Bible shows the image of “the glory of the Lord” and reveals the great chasm between the believer and the Savior.

B.    Expect the Spirit to Use the Bible as we “behold” Christ. 

                                        1.     The Spirit uses predominantly the one Book He Himself authored—The Holy Bible. The word of God is the essential element the Spirit of the Lord uses, and He faithfully brings the believer’s attention to the risen, ascended, exalted, enthroned, and reigning Christ Jesus. 

                                        2.     There have been occasions when I misread the Word or tried to use the Bible to justify my sinful anger. The Lord Jesus expressed righteous indignation when He cleansed the Temple (Matt. 2:13-17; 21:12, 13) on both occasions, but I tried to use this to excuse my sinful and selfish anger. Later the Lord showed me my anger was rooted in sin, and Christ’s anger was a zeal or jealousy for God to be honored in His Temple. The Bible reveals our lives in the light of Christ’s perfections.

                                        3.     Certainly, this addresses the questions of believers’ responsibilities as the Spirit effects this change. We Christians are to “behold” Him—the brilliant and glorious unveiled Son of God in the Word—we are to concentrate our spiritual and mental faculties on the risen and enthroned Christ to experience the freedom of transformation.

                                        4.     “When Moses beheld Jehovah’s glory, his own face reflected that glory.”^[1] We will become like the one we devotedly gaze upon (Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 12:2; Ps. 27:4)

                                        5.     In other words, the Word of God does more than regenerate believers (we are regenerated by the Spirit of God using the Word of God, 1 Pet. 1:23).  Likewise, “the Spirit of the Lord” uses His Bible to transform God’s children.  This is monumentally important! (Jn. 17:17; 1Pet. 2:2)

i.       John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

ii.     1 Peter 2:2-3, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

iii.   If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Dr. W. MacDonald says, “What a tremendous impetus for thirsting for the pure spiritual milk! The if does not express any doubt; we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). His sacrifice for us was an act of unspeakable goodness and kindness (Tit. 3:4). What we have already tasted of His kindness should whet our appetites to feed more and more on Him. The sweet taste of nearness to Him should make us dread the thought of ever wandering away from Him.”

C.    Let the Word Reveal and Reflect the Glorious Christ! 

                                        1.     The “glory of the Lord”—this is the reason the people of God must consistently study the Bible.  As we meditate on Him, we are moved closer to His image—reflecting more of Him inwardly and outwardly. O that God’s people would spend more time glaring in the mirror of the Word, beholding Him more.

                                        2.     In the Scriptures we see His “open face” free of obscurities and obstructions. We are exposed to the explicitly declared Christ in His superb character. Oh, how terribly wondrous He is in glory! Great is our privilege to see, know, and gaze upon Him!

D.    Beloved, do you really want to be Christlike? Then spend time beholding Jesus.

                                        1.     Turn your eyes upon Jesus;

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

                                        2.     I need this. I hope you, too, sense a need of seeing Jesus Christ on the pages of the Word of God so that you might grow more like Him. –McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

                                        3.     We must read, meditate, and live out the Word daily looking for the glory of the Lord (Ps. 1:2; Matt. 4:4; Heb. 5:14). 

Conclusion:

We are in a continuing process of transformation into the very image of Christ. Christlikeness is the goal of our journey (Eph. 4:23–24; Col. 3:10). One of the greatest complements a Christian can receive relates to being loving, joyful, peaceful, longsuffering (patient), gentle, good, faithful, meek, and temperate (self-control) like Christ.

As people, we progress from our comfort zone, through the fear zone, through the learning zone and finally to the “growth zone.”  If we are to experience growth we will need to leave the comfort zone, because spiritual growth begins upon leaving the comforts of the familiar, the mediocre, the predictable, the controlled, and the no anxiety or stress. The growth zone involves actively seeking godly challenges, embracing holy discomfort, and continuously pushing our limits to learn, grow, and achieve new levels of progress in the Lord. In the growth zone, we are willing to take risks, face uncertainty, and venture into unfamiliar territory. God has designed us to become groundbreaking, productive, and helpful; we recognize setbacks as opportunities to learn, discover, and pioneer! Beloved, we must make the decision to leave our comfort zone and make our way to the growth zone.  

Romans 12:2, says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The temptation and tendency to merely adopt a list of rules, restrictions, and nasties are a real hindrance to holy change. These only keep Christians’ unacquainted with the Word, immature and unskilled in the teachings of righteousness, and unable to distinguish right from wrong (Heb. 5:11-14). These remain carnal, afraid, guilty, unstable, and ignorant of their identity in Christ. Legalism does not produce Christlikeness! While we are keenly aware of the importance of the externals, we must put forth greater effort to cultivate the inner life—inner grace moving us to think, desire, value, appreciate, love, and even hate as Christ does. We not only want to do the right things, but we also want to be the right person within. Being is as important as doing or not doing. Yes, it is right to have some standards and it is right to denounce sin, but we must not fail to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ through our actual internal changes. 

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^[1] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 309.