What role does the "Spirit of the Lord" play in our transformation? The unveiled vision of glory 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” • In Christ the veil is lifted; we’re free to gaze on His glory without obstruction. • The Spirit doesn’t merely let us observe that glory—He causes it to leave an imprint on our souls. Transformation starts with the Spirit’s presence • “Which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Transformation is sourced in Him, not our effort. • Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises, “I will give you a new heart… I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.” The Spirit is the divine engine of heart-change. • Romans 8:9 reminds us that anyone who belongs to Christ has the Spirit dwelling inside; the same power that raised Jesus (Romans 8:11) is actively reshaping us. What the Spirit actually does 1. Opens our eyes • 1 Corinthians 2:12: “We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” • He reveals Christ’s beauty so we desire it. 2. Mirrors Christ in us • Galatians 4:19 speaks of Christ being “formed in you.” The Spirit presses Christ’s image onto our character. 3. Produces visible fruit • Galatians 5:22-23 lists love, joy, peace, etc. These aren’t self-generated virtues; they sprout from Spirit-soil. 4. Empowers obedience • Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” • He supplies both the desire and the ability to live out what Scripture commands. “Intensifying glory” – a lifelong upward spiral • The Greek verb for “being transformed” (metamorphoō) is present tense—ongoing, progressive. • Proverbs 4:18 echoes the idea: “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” • Every fresh glimpse of Christ ignites deeper likeness to Him; the Spirit keeps turning up the brightness. Practical rhythms that invite the Spirit’s work • Regular Scripture intake—He authored it (2 Timothy 3:16) and uses it for training in righteousness. • Prayerful dependence—asking for His filling (Ephesians 5:18) keeps our hearts sensitive. • Fellowship with believers—He distributes gifts for mutual growth (1 Corinthians 12:7). • Confession and repentance—He convicts (John 16:8) and cleanses so nothing hinders the transformation. The end goal the Spirit guarantees • Romans 8:29: we are “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” • Philippians 1:6 assures He will complete what He began. • 1 John 3:2 points to the finish line: “When He appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.” The Spirit of the Lord is both the artist and the power behind every brushstroke that changes us from glory to glory, until Christ’s likeness shines through us fully. |
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