But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)
Each year I choose a character of God to try to understand him better. One year it was Joy. One year it was Power. In 2018 it was Glory. Usually, I go through the year and I look for God in these words and somewhere in the middle, I see him more clearly. Not this year. Glory was harder. One of the things that kept stumping me was when the Bible said we would share God’s glory. When I thought of God’s glory, I thought of how he showed up in the pillar of fire before the Israelites in the wilderness. And when the angels showed up and people dropped in terror. How can we share that?
At the very end of this year, it all came together. In Hebrews 1:3 it says that Jesus radiated God’s glory by being the very character of God (NLT), the perfect imprint (AMPC). Jesus was the essence of God.
In our text today, it talks about how when we choose God, we become more and more like Jesus. We are changed into his image. And as we do that, we share God’s essence, his character with those around us. We share in his glory. Sharing God’s glory isn’t about some bright power that appears with shock and awe. It is more about becoming his character and sharing who he is.
It is our responsibility to share that with others. And the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:15 that as more and more people experience him, there will be thanksgiving and praise and glory to his name.
I look back on 2018 and know that sometimes I shared God’s character and sometimes I didn’t. I know there were times when I really reflected him badly. I hate it when I do that. But, I am not discouraged by that. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says as we are changed into his glorious image. It’s a process. We will not be fully changed until we see Jesus when he comes again. The Bible also promises in Philippians 1:6 that God is faithful and will continue the work he started in us until completion.
So here’s to 2019 and beyond! As we continue to seek His face, as we continue to know Jesus more fully, may God change us to be more and more like him. May his glory be seen all throughout the earth!
Happy New Year!