“But we all, who with unveiled face contemplate the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
In the modern translation of the Bible, this passage reads as follows: "But we all, without covering our faces with garments, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transfigured and become like him, and shine with ever-increasing brightness, because of the Lord " [translated directly from the Russian].
On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Law. When Moses descended from the mountain, his face shone with the great glory that God had bestowed through this Law. Moses' face shone so brightly that when he had to explain the Law, that is, speak to the people, he placed a garment over his face because the people could not bear the radiance. This is difficult to imagine, but the people saw the radiance of God's glory revealed in the Law. This radiance of the Lord's glory endures to this day ; otherwise , people would cease to read it, quote it, and even reflect upon it.
However, things are not the same today as they were then, for now a different radiance of God's glory prevails. It is the radiance of the glory of Jesus Christ and His ministry. And this radiance is so glorious that service under the law no longer seems so glorious. It is as if there were two layers of radiance: the first layer is the law, the second is Christ. And between these layers, we are spoken of, of our participation in the radiance of God's glory. These words are: "And we all, who with unveiled face contemplate the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, for this comes from the Spirit of the Lord."
This means that in some way we reflect this radiance of God's glory, we change, and we become ever more like Him. His glory in us through Jesus Christ comes from Himself and must continually grow within us. What is this radiance of the glory of Jesus Christ in a believer?
***
When Jesus Christ enters a person's life, the great glory of God is revealed. The growth of this glory becomes the goal of our lives. And at first, it seems that our entire life will contribute to this growth.
When I was a young believer, I understood from Scripture that the main currency of the kingdom of heaven is love, and I began to pray for this love. I expected that in due time, God would somehow open my heart and fill it with a flood of love. My heart would melt, it would become hot, the coldness would disappear, and I would be able to love everyone. Instead, my life narrowed, and people began to treat me strangely coldly. The circumstances were not at all conducive to love. On the contrary, things became quite difficult within my family and community. And finally, the Lord placed another burden on me through a (believing) man who, unfortunately, found many faults in me.
I reached a point where I simply cried out to God because everything around me was utterly detrimental to my love. And in that moment, I heard God say to me, “You wanted to learn to love. I am giving you this opportunity. Look, everything is open to you: Love the church, the people, and every single person. Dedicate your time and energy to them .” Dear reader, don't think that I received God's word with joy. It was quite difficult for me at that moment. I realized that it is not only difficult to find spiritual strength, righteousness, and selflessness, but also to maintain them.
It was as if God presented me with a choice: Choose what is stronger – faith and love, or external circumstances. Faith tests the meaning of my life. And this was put to the test by a very serious challenge, one that often arises in life. If you want to learn to love, then love in these circumstances and in these people. And suddenly my "aversion," which had "formed" due to the given circumstances, was revealed to me . It is precisely under such circumstances that a person must choose what should guide them – the inner self or the outer world.
If the radiance of God's glory guides me, I will gaze upon that glory and be transformed by it, and it will become my inner possession. Or, like all people, I will drift with the current of life, which does not lead me to God's glory. These or similar circumstances are created by God, and He sees how people respond to them.
In fact, man has a choice between two paths : Either he transforms his entire life into an inner achievement and becomes like Jesus. Or he neglects the inner struggle and loses the opportunity to receive what God has prepared for him.
It is necessary to understand and accept that it is God himself who assigns each person a circle of people, friends, enemies, or community. He prepares a moment when each of us, who looks to God's glory, will choose that glory. So that, in the midst of my weakness (whether I believe in my abilities or not), I may ultimately choose God's power.
Even amidst circumstances where I have no time to speak with God, I must still understand that talking to Him is the highest priority. In situations where loving is so difficult, or when I am wronged and want to prove myself right, I must choose God . And first and foremost, it is necessary for myself, but it will also benefit others.
***
God asks how we stand before Him. It sounds like a challenge. God wants to know how we respond to circumstances, and this is what the passage refers to: “ But we all […] [behold] the glory of the Lord […] as in a mirror .” Whatever the circumstances may be, these words have not changed. We all know very well that we must be gentle and quiet and love not only our friends but also our enemies. We know this, even when circumstances are challenging.
In a difficult situation, I don't want to dwell on what the glory of God means for me; the only question that seems important is who is to blame. But I know from God's Word that above all, one must look inward. It's as if God is saying: This is the situation; you can move forward on the path of inner achievement . A person who misses the opportunity to see and reflect God's glory in difficult circumstances loses something very important in the long run. The immediate gratification of one's own ambition (preoccupation with one's own ego) prevents the possibility of attaining the glory of God. That is to say, there is no movement toward eternal life, which is not fleeting.
What great losses we suffer in our lives when we say, "Well, that's just how I am, I can't help it." The person agrees that change is necessary, but not now and not in this situation. But a person can only transform their life into a spiritual victory through struggle! Victory is not the result of a tranquil life. If I lie on the beach, what kind of victory can there be? Will you overcome laziness that way, leave the beach, and never return? It's nice in the sun, it's warm, the sea laps at the shore, the breeze blows. However, victory is achieved through struggle: you must immerse yourself in life, and there will be some kind of battle; you cannot win without obstacles .
***
Our task is to transform life's circumstances into the radiance of God's glory. Spiritual victory is always linked to a person's own choice. The greatest spiritual victories are won when God seems far away.
King David says in Psalm 61:3: “From the ends of the earth I cry to you; my heart faints; lift me up to the rock that is too high for me!”
My question is: Do you believe that God raised him up? David was the man who defeated Goliath, who wasn't afraid of the lion, who triumphed on the battlefield, who was the first to go into battle. But he knew the main thing – you must always achieve victory over your inner self.
A believer is someone who gazes upon the glory of God and has the great boldness to claim that glory. And the more victories are won in inner battles, the more the glory of God must become visible. The radiance of God's glory magnifies and strengthens the person. As they triumph over their inner self, they go from glory to glory, shining ever brighter.
***
One should not conclude that victory over oneself depends on the individual—for the Lord does it, the Lord grants victory . The Lord needs children who accept His decision, and the inner person will achieve victory, for the Kingdom of God is seized by force under the given external circumstances. One must trust Him completely, see Him, and thirst for the radiance of the Lord's glory.
We are being transformed into His image. To be His image, we must learn from Him. Christ is the goal of our lives, a glory greater than the glory of the law. God is not someone you can simply talk to and get something. He is not someone who is present somewhere in heaven and sends out good things from there (of course, it can also be bad, but you have to draw nearer to Him and pray more so that He will send good things).
***
The Law once came to Israel, and for about 4,000 years people have been reading the Bible. There is such power in the Law that its radiance remained even after Christ came. This radiance is still present in the Bible today, and it is impossible to do without this book. But the glory of Jesus Christ lies in the fact that once a few disciples received the Word. This Word spread throughout the earth, conquering people and overcoming civilization. This Word moved and overcame. Through the horrors of life, people remained faithful and were able to love even under the most difficult circumstances.
Christ entrusted His glory to humanity. And the question is not what we expect from Christ, but what Christ expects from each of us. How radiant is my own? How capable am I of worthily passing the trials? We are accountable to God for how we fill ourselves with His glory.
It's difficult to imagine God's judgment; perhaps only the simplest questions will be asked, or perhaps God will ask how I have behaved in relation to His glory. How I have worked to cultivate that glory within me. We are accountable to God for how we fulfill His expectations. We will be held accountable for every minute.
Our desires don't fade with age; the soul remains the same. Both young and old have desires; the only question is what they desire. In Genesis 5, the names and dates of the first people on Earth are listed. Note that the Lord didn't just give their years of life. He marked each person by name, and next to the name it is written: "All the days of their life were so many." God looked at every day they lived! God looks at every day we live !
Every single situation demands a corresponding response, and whether it contributes to glory or shame depends on my choice and yours. Each of us must cherish every day of our lives. For it was God in His great power who created you and me. He is the one who created your family or your status as a single person, as well as specific circumstances—every situation is absolutely unique. It is all meant for you or me. It is created for you or me. And it is impossible to do what another person would do in my place. Because everyone encounters a different situation. And God expects me to remain a unique person in this unique situation, unique among all people who walk the earth.
The Lord knows our inner selves, and the Lord says today that we should purify our hearts and draw near to Him. God desires that He be the ruler of your heart and mine, and that sin should have no hold there. That He may be glorified through you and me, dear friend. With God, there is no partiality. He wants to lead each of us to an unreachable mountain, and may God help us not to lose anything that He has prepared for those who love Him! Praise be to Jesus Christ! Praise be to the name of our Lord.
Leonid Odessky
Tel Aviv