Monday, September 5, 2016

The Mature Experience That Transforms

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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 3:17-18 ESV

Transformation is what happens when we see Jesus but we need to really see the Jesus of the Bible. He Is the Lord who is Spirit. Jesus... fully man... fully God... fully in tune with The Spirit of God... When He comes into view everything changes including us. This change manifests as growth but not just any kind of growth. Transformation. The Lord who Is Spirit works in exact unity with the Spirit of The Lord to transform.

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." - 1 Corinthians 15:45 KJV

Jesus is alive and makes us alive. The Gospel is the message sent out into the world to tell us who Jesus Is and what He has done. He is a man who is God. He died on the cross to represent all mankind. He was buried and then He rose from the grave. He will never die again. Right now He sits at the right hand of God's approval.

Look at Him. See Him through the lens God has given us to peer outside of time and space. Look and see the Jesus of the Bible. If you see Him your life will not be the same. You have already seen Adam. Adam is alive but Jesus makes men alive. Adam was and is a miracle but Jesus is the author of miracles.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV

Many of the other translations say 'to equip' the Saints but that is not quite what the passage is saying. The messenger is sent to reveal Jesus so that a person can see Him and 'be perfected' or 'brought to full maturity'. The messenger says, 'Look at this unique person. He finished the work of salvation.' Seeing Jesus is to be instantly mature for that moment in time. We are quickened by the Spirit and we are transformed. Someone who worships in Spirit and in truth is the picture of full grown maturity while they are doing it. God will continue His work in time and space but in that moment there is nothing better or higher. Seeing Jesus as He Is in recognition is everything. It is the most mature of all experiences.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." - Hebrews 12:2a KJV

Yes. Instead of being distracted from Him let's see Him. He Is with us if we have believed. He will never leave or forsake us. Let's use the Book as it was meant to be used and see Jesus. Let's bring Him into the circumstances so that others will have a chance to see Him as we fellowship with the one who knows us and loves us like no other.

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