2 Corinthians 3:18 – 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.

THEME OF THE DAY. GOD’S PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. How does one grow spiritually? What is God’s pattern for making us more and more like the Lord Jesus, which is the definition of spiritual growth? We might begin saying things like, “Read my Bible and prayer.” That would be good and right. Then we would add “Attend church faithfully and serve there.” These too are excellent and necessary disciplines for spiritual growth. And we would need to expand the list to “pursue holiness, fight against sin, and strive for greater obedience to God’s Word.” As good as all those disciplines are, there is a real danger of making all the disciplines of the Christian life ends to themselves. They are not. We don’t attend church just to attend church. We don’t read our Bibles just to read our Bibles. Those and everything else we listed are means to an end, not the end. And what is the end of everything not only in the Christian life, but in all of creation? The glory of God.

When it comes to any spiritual growth through spiritual discipline, today’s scripture is the end of all those things – to behold the glory of the Lord. Are we? Is that happening with me? You? Did we read our Bibles today? Last night? If so, did we encounter the glory of the Lord? What about church last Sunday? Prayer time with our families, spouses, or alone? Did we meet the Lord and bask in His glory? Now don’t think I am getting weird or on some mystical trail of spiritual experience. Granted, the glory of God is hard to grasp, actually impossible, as are many glorious things about God, but the Bible is clear; we are to be seeking to experience His glory by beholding His glory. In fact, the chapter following today’s scripture show us this is why Jesus Christ was sent by the Father into the world – “ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). God certainly shines forth His glory in creation. Watch a sunset over an ocean or gaze into a night sky filled with stars if we need to be reminded of the glory of God in creation. As beautiful as those displays of God’s handiwork and glory are, the greatest manifestation of His glory is in His Son.

In defining the “glory of God”, who is sufficient in these things? No one, but here is a wonderful definition which is about as good as finite humans may get. It comes from the pen of Stephen Nichols. He writes, “God’s glory points to His transcendence, His extraordinary nature, His beauty, His excellence – all of which set Him apart from and far above all that He created.” Nichols would continue, “Yet, God’s glory is known, revealed. It is revealed both in nature and in the Word, seen most conspicuously in Christ.”

So, how would we apply this, or confirm, we are growing spiritually in conformity to Christ by beholding His glory chiefly in His Word and prayer? I think there will be at least three evidences in our lives affirming we are beholding the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. First, there will be an intensifying pursuit to know Christ in His Word, in His church, and with His people. And it will not be quenched by worldliness. When we are beholding Him, we want more of Him through the means He has provided. Next, there will be an increasing obedience to His Word in our lives. We simply will fall more and more in love with Him and true love to Christ is measured by sincere obedience. A final evidence we are beholding the Lord will be a strong anticipation, expectation, even homesickness in the heart to be with Him to fully see His glory.

Spiritual growth. It is all about beholding the glory of the Lord. Let’s make it our daily passion and pursuit. That is how we grow in Him, know Him, and become like Him.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to foremost look for Your glory in creation, Your Son, and Your Word”

QUOTE: “It is the glory of God which we are to live for and it is the glory of God we are to seek to behold”