Chapter 225—Changed by Beholding
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
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The work of transformation from unholiness is a continuous one. Day
by day God labors for man’s sanctification, and man is to co-operate with
Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits. He
is to add grace to grace; and as he thus works on the plan of addition, God
works for him on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready
to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are
multiplied to His faithful ones. Gladly He grants them the blessings they
need in their struggle against the evils that beset them.
John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ’s
followers. Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and
follow the divine Pattern. Both were closely associated with Jesus and
were privileged to listen to His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of
character; and each had access to the divine grace that transforms character.
But while one in humility was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he
was not a doer of the Word, but a hearer only. One, daily dying to self and
overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the
transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into
bondage to Satan.
Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever
the result of communion with Christ. There may be marked defects in the
character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the
power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him
whom he adores....
God can be honored by those who profess to believe in Him, only as they
are conformed to His image and controlled by His Spirit. Then, as witnesses
for the Saviour, they may make known what divine grace has done for them.
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