Spirit #9 – From Glory to Glory

Workings of the Holy Spirit

courtesy: Dean Williams 2012

We cannot see God face to face and live (Ex. 33:20). That’s why, after God’s glory passed by, Moses saw God’s back parts (Ex. 33:23). Whenever Moses met with God, glory reflected upon Moses’ face (2 Cor. 3:13). However, Jesus did away with the glory of reflection because as glorious as that was, it was still the ministry of death (2 Cor. 3:7). After he was glorified, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit (John 7:39) and changed things up for Christians (2 Cor. 3:8).

The glory that mĕtamŏrphŏō-transformed Jesus on the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:17), is the same glory that mĕtamŏrphŏō-transforms believers today. The ministry of the Spirit of life and of righteousness transforms us into the Lord’s image, so that from inside-out, we beam forth his glory—and live!

                                   

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed (mĕtamŏrphŏō, transformed) into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18).

Thus, “from glory to glory” is the present and end-time ministry of the Spirit because that which remains (mĕnō, stays in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) is more glorious than what is passing away (2 Cor. 3: 8-11).

Now is the time for the church to behold the glory of the Lord so that the ministry of the Spirit of life might transform us while alive that we might remain (perileipō, survive) until Jesus’ return (1 Thess. 4:15, 17)!

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Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Spirit #8 – How do I Grow the Fruit of Unconditional Love?

Workings of the Holy Spirit

Kaneohe Bay - courtesy Dean Williams 2012

Most people love from their feelings. As a result, we tend to reward or withhold love from others based on how we feel. Feelings ebb and flow like an ocean tide, so this type of love has conditions. A few of them might be:

• Agree with me. I have my opinions but you can’t tell me yours. Keep quiet about me, my work, my family, or my church. I’m not interested in getting things right because my need to be right is stronger;
• Prepare to be punished. If you make me angry, I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget. I’ll avoid you like the plague, treat you like an enemy, and talk stink about you behind your back. I might even (insert your own condition here);
• Lie to me. Your truth hurts. It hurts my feelings. I get angry. If you have to speak honestly, don’t do it around me. Go elsewhere.

Jesus said “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44-48 NIV). He could have meant North Korea, or even the Taliban.  Really?? Come on, Christians! We’ve got “enemies” among our families, friends, relatives, and neighbors’ right here—all just waiting for our love. But because our love is conditional, we make them wait forever.

Get perfect, Christian. Decide in your head—and not in your feelings—that you’re going to philĕō-love unconditionally. Then do it.

Over time, the Spirit’s fruit of agapē-love (Gal. 5:22 NIV) will emerge from the heart—constant, undisturbed, and impervious to others’ remarks.

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Scriptures marked “NIV” are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.