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Conformed to His Image, February 24
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
.
Sin-burdened, struggling souls, Jesus in His glorified humanity has as-
cended into the heavens to make intercession for us. “For we have not a
high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace” (
Hebrews 4:15, 16
). We should be
continually looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; for by
beholding Him we shall be changed into His image, our character will be
made like His. We should rejoice that all judgment is given to the Son, be-
cause in His humanity He has become acquainted with all the difficulties that
beset humanity.
To be sanctified is to become a partaker of the divine nature, catching the
spirit and mind of Jesus, ever learning in the school of Christ. “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.” It is
impossible for any of us by our power or our own efforts to work this change
in ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said He would
send into the world, that changes our character into the image of Christ; and
when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord.
That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like His, that
one looking at him sees Christ’s own character shining out as from a mirror.
Imperceptibly to ourselves, we are changed day by day from our own ways
and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of His character.
Thus we grow up into Christ, and unconsciously reflect His image.
Professed Christians keep altogether too near the lowlands of earth. Their
eyes are trained to see only commonplace things, and their minds dwell upon
the things their eyes behold. Their religious experience is often shallow and
unsatisfying, and their words are light and valueless. How can such reflect
the image of Christ? How can they send forth the bright beams of the Sun of
righteousness into all the dark places of the earth? To be a Christian is to be
Christlike.—
The Review and Herald, April 28, 1891
.
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