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 Corinthians 3:18).
There’re those who say, "If you don’t obey God’s commandments, He won’t bless you." Such a notion is contrary to God’s personality and His nature of love and goodness as revealed in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, they tried to obey God and failed; but in the New Testament, we’re not told to obey, but are called obedient children (1 Peter 1:14), having already obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to us (Romans 6:17).
The problem with the Old Testament wasn’t the Law but the imperfection of the carnal man (Romans 7:7-25). The people had to obey the commandments before they could be made a peculiar treasure and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6). But in the New Testament, we were born that way: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). You were born a chosen generation, a king and a royal priesthood.
The obedience He calls for is the obedience to the Gospel, the message of salvation (Romans 10:9-10), which you already fulfilled when you made Jesus the Lord of your life. Today, we don’t try to obey God’s Word; we live and do the Word. When we look at the Word, we see ourselves. God’s Word is the mirror of the new creation; it’s the album that reflects your true image and identity.
The picture of you that the Word reveals may seem incredible, but as you continue to look unswervingly, into the Word, the perfect Law of liberty, you’re transformed into the same glory that you see in the Word.Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your Word is my life. It’s natural for me to live in, and by, your Word, which is working mightily, and producing results, in me, making me what it says, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
f u r t h e r s t u d y:Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:30 Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Psalms 128-134; 1 Corinthians 92 Year Reading Plan : Colossians 2:8-15 Jeremiah 9
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