But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.–2 Cor. 3:18
There is something in all of us that needs to be changed. Sometimes we are aware of it and sometimes we’re not. If we truly care about pleasing God we want to make whatever changes that are necessary. The problem is that we often go about it the wrong way. We try to change ourselves, rather than look to God as the change agent. The real need is not to change, but to be changed. Although I preached an entire series on the subject, I still struggle with this at times–most of us do. I don’t know David Powlison from Adam, but I was blessed by what he said about this matter:
“No one can truly change who does not know and rely on gifts from the hand of the Lord. Since Christ is both Giver and Gift, attempts to change without grace are barren of the very purpose, power, and Person that change is about. Self-manufactured change does not dislodge almighty me from the center of my tiny self-manufactured universe. Still in the futility of my mind and the hardness of my heart, I only act a bit different.
Successful living without grace describes mere self-reformation: get your act together, save your marriage, get off your duff and get a job. Failure in living describes failed self-efforts: when you can’t get a grip, you despair. Christ-less, grace-less attempts at change conclude either with the praise of your own glory or with your shame.“
It is my earnest prayer that you,and I, will be changed from glory to glory to glory to glory—- until others see nothing but Jesus in us!
