Already but not yet (Part 1)

“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.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

These are merely observations about this verse. So if you find theological fault, let me know, we'll get some cokes and talk it out.

1. “We all”- Community. This isn't just to an individual person, but this is to be done with the body of Christ. Those who have an “unveiled face”( v17.) We see this in Paul's other writings as well, that knowing God comes in community. See Ephesians 3:18...”may comprehend with all the saints,what is the breadth, and length height and depth and to know the love of Christ.” It is with ALL the saints that knowing the love of Christ is in full effect, because those who are in Christ are one body and in one spirit.

2. “With unveiled face” My first thought about unveiled face was how we appear to God as naked before him. Chapter 3 talks of how the Spirit brings freedom. If we have the Spirit, there is no need for the veil (like Moses needed). We are to grow together, naked and unashamed of our past because they have been forgiven and forgotten by God. If we cover up our sins, or say we do not have sin, we can not grow (See 1 John 1:7-2:2) But “unveiled” is beautiful in the sight of God when Christ is with us, because we are free as we were in the Garden. Adam and Eve were naked and without shame in the garden, and ever since the moment they sinned, mankind has been covering himself up before God. But now, in Christ alone, there needs to be no guilt, fear or shame before God because he pardons our sin.

3. “Beholding the glory of the Lord”...This one jumps out at me. The reason I don't grow in Christ is simple because I don't put him at the forefront of my mind and my life. I find things associated with my Lord to put in the center; campus ministries, church, making relationships with non-believers, loving my neighbor, serving...and these are good things. But they are not simply beholding God's glory. John Piper makes an interesting point in his book “Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ”. He makes the point that redemption, adoption, forgiveness and justification are all things God does that point to something greater- his glory. (John 17:24)...The more I “behold” or put forth God's glory in my life, the more I will grow. The more I see the most glorious thing, the death and resurrection on the cross, the more like Christ I become (Philippians 3:10)

   I confess that I put so many things God has created as more important in my life rather than the creator himself. I think of how Jesus asked Peter “do you love me?” as the way of bringing him back into the ministry. It wasn't “Peter will you lead my church?, or Peter will you not make that mistake again?...” it was about loving God and making that the center of his life.