But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Setting

The apostle Paul’s apostleship was being questioned by men, perhaps those jealous of him, or religious leaders, demanding letters of recommendation from others about the ministry that he, Timothy, and Titus labored in the post Resurrected communities of the believers.

Of all earlier ministers of the Gospel message, Paul of all people should never have to produce any proof of his effectiveness as a willful vessel for Christ. His dual responsibility was to preach to Jews and gentiles out of his own revelatory experience with the Risen Christ. This special mission had been given to him by God when God called him to function as a prophet, teacher, and minister for this New Covenant Jesus movement.

Paul’s response to this matter within the Body of Believers in Corinth was classic! He stated that each of those within that beloved community of saints was a letter of recommendation. They all were freed from a former life of sin to that of liberty.

As a divinely called minister of the Lord, Paul’s willingness to service the heart of God’s people was second to none.

“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but tablets of human hearts.” [verses 2-3]

Spiritual Ministry of the Heart

The effectiveness of Paul’s service is indicative of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and the living Word of God directed at the human heart. God is interested in the heart of humanity, the hearts of all flesh contaminated by sin. Soul salvation is one of God’s fruit of His eternal love for a fallen and broken world.

Spiritual regeneration is initiated and will continue to manifest in our hearts [kardia] until glorification. Our hearts are the affective center of our living beings. It is the organ of our capacity for moral volition, desire, and choice.

The heart is the center and seat of renewed spiritual rebirth which moralizes thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, and endeavors.

[major cross-references of [kardia]: Proverb 3:3, 7:3; Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26, Hebrews 8:10]

Paul of all of the faithful servants of the resurrected Savior, knew very well, never to put any confidence of unregenerated flesh as associated with the Kingdom of God. He communicates that the supernatural work of salvation determination is only through Christ toward God.

All adequacy is in God alone.

In verses 6-9, Paul writes that God also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. After Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, there are two ways in which humanity can choose to live: under the old ministry of condemnation or the ministry of righteousness.

The difference between these two ministries is can be understood as the old covenant will always censure while making the individual guilty of sin, whereas the renewed covenant expresses God’s judicial approval because of Jesus’s sacrifice for sin. The fruit of redemption is justification and righteousness therefore granted to the individual.

The Splendor of the Manifestation of God

In examining the text further, I noticed that between verses 7-18, the word glory is recorded thirteen times! All of which communicates about the supernatural supremacy of the ministry of righteousness in the heart of the redeemed of God over those who are not.

Glory has several meanings, divine praise, honor, renown, and the splendor of the very manifestation of God. The term also speaks of God’s infinite, intrinsic substance and essence throughout His created order. We will now return to our major Scripture text to see Christ and His glory within the heart of His followers.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

The heart of a spiritually renewed follower of Christ is made free by the Spirit of the Lord which resides within. This freedom is liberty from slavery in our human existence. Freedom from the dominion of corrupt desires, so that we do what the will of God is or require by the free impulse of the souls.

Before knowing or willfully submitting to Christ as Lord of our souls, our hearts were covered which prevented the Gospel and the precepts of the Kingdom of God from being understood. But through the faithful work of Paul and his disciples, the Corinthians and we today, supernaturally, have unveiled faces, which means that those things hidden now are revealed. Amen.

Unveiled faces imply uncovering by drawing back the veil used to define a heart not blinded but disposed to perceive the glorious majesty of Christ. This is possible by the glory of the work of the living Word of God, which we behold as in a mirror from which it is reflected.

Spiritual Change into Christlikeness is Possible

In his wonderful book, “Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, Dallas Willard soundly agree with Scripture, by affirming that spiritual change into Christlikeness is possible in our lifetimes. He says, “spiritual Christlike formation is the process by which one moves and is moved from “self-life”/”self-worship” to a willing Christ-centric lifestyle of self-denial.

In the Holy Scriptures, the willful act of self-denial is recorded at least fifty-four times. https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Self-Denial The spiritual calling of “self-denial” on the part of a faithful follower expressed in their new life is based on the recognition of a higher God-given will, which the Christian practitioner chooses to adhere to, and prioritize over his or her own will or desires.

With the recognition of the power of God’s will in their life, [self-denial] and faith, in combination essentially evolves into this New Covenant new life that is purposely lived out before the world as God’s very glory and presence in the world.

Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. We can fully progressively commit to this supernatural spiritual change into Christlikeness because Christ Jesus has crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:22-25

Working out Your Soul Salvation

The steps of the miracle of salvation are noted in Romans 8:29-30

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

• Foreknew- Jeremiah 1:5
• Predestination in the likeness of Christ-1 Timothy 4:7
• Sanctification-Philippians 2:12-13
• Justification-Romans 3:24-26
• Glorification-Romans 8:30

What is necessary for a believer and a congregation to work out their salvation—their sanctification?

[These steps were gleaned from, Work Out Your Salvation: The Process of Sanctification.] https://bible.org/seriespage/8-work-out-your-salvation-process-sanctification

Jesus Christ is the only Model

• Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

We must know the Love of God

• And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

One must be obedient to God

• Obedience to God is not only a necessary practice in sanctification but it is a proof of salvation.  A person who professes Christ but does not practice daily obedience to God is deceived about his salvation. Jesus said this: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

One must practice Spiritual Disciplines

• Inward spiritual disciplines consist of meditation, prayer, fasting, and biblical study. Outward disciplines are living a simple lifestyle, solitude, submission, and service. Last is corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. [see the book, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard J. Foster].

One must learn Preservation

• But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. (Colossians 1:22-23a)

One must develop and maintain a Healthy Fear of God

• The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack a no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD (Psalm 34:7-11)

Let the will of God become manifested Within

• For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Paul says “fan into flame the gift of God”—make it strong and maximize it—and then he says “for God has given us power, love, and self-discipline through the Holy Spirit.” He has given us everything needed through his indwelling Spirit to be holy and maximize our gifts. He is working with us; therefore, we must work as well.

Closing Prayer

‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26

Grace and Peace

Brother Alonzo