Transforming Truth - [1 Corinthians 3:18]

Good evening. Well, it's great to see so many people out here tonight. You know time spent sitting under God's Word is always profitable. And I am confident that that will be the case tonight. May I invite you to turn with me to the book of 2nd Corinthians in chapter 3.

2nd Corinthians in chapter 3. Before we begin I want to acknowledge that I'm indebted to Phil Johnson of Grace Community Church for many of these thoughts. And you know, I'm so thankful to God for granting gifted teachers to his church.

I know I've been blessed many times over as a result and and I'm sure you'd agree. Now tonight what I want to look at is the progress of the Christian life or what is referred to as Sanctification or what Mike was talking about just a moment ago spiritual growth.

The theological term is sanctification and Sanctification is that process where we grow more and more like Christ each day. Until one day we're face to face with Christ and we are completely Conformed to his image and that's what we refer to as glorification so a lifelong process of sanctification followed by glorification at the end.

The Christian Life as Sanctification and Glorification

Now just to begin with let me just ask you a question. Did you know that if you're a Christian that you are expected to grow? I mean sure. It's God's will for you and it's a divine work in your life. But Romans 8 29 says that for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his son.

And First Thessalonians 4 3 says for this is the will of God your sanctification. But at the same time it's commanded of us. And so we have a responsibility to. The 2nd Peter 3 18 exhorts us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jude 20 says. But you beloved building yourselves up on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God. Now because this is such a huge topic spiritual growth and there are so many aspects of it to examine I want to limit our conversation tonight to this passage in 2nd Corinthians where we're going to learn about how we grow in grace.

And the means by which that growth takes place now this chapter in 2nd Corinthians Contains some extraordinary truths and I've really been blessed by the study of it and I can tell you that if you are looking for power to overcome persistent sin in your life.

If you're seeking the means to grow spiritually. To have your mind and your heart and desires transformed and to allow the glory of God to be reflected in you. Then I ask that you direct your attention for these next few minutes To the Word of God with me now the book the verse that we're going to focus on today is 2nd Corinthians 3 18.

So I'll just read it now. 2nd Corinthians 3 verse 18 says. But we all With unveiled faces beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed Into the same image from glory to glory. Just as from the Lord the Spirit.

The Old Covenant and the New Covenant

Now before we examine this verse we need to look at its context because The context of this verse is especially crucial to gaining an understanding of it now notice that earlier in this chapter Paul had been drawing a contrast between the New Covenant and the Old Covenant under Moses.

And he's demonstrating why the New Covenant is superior. Now he introduces the topic in verse 6 of our chapter by answering a question that he had asked back in chapter 2 and that Is who is adequate for these things?

And he gives an explicit answer to that question in verses 5 and 6 of our chapter where he says not that we are Adequate in ourselves to consider anything is coming from ourselves. But our adequacy is from God who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant.

So he's saying that we the Apostles are of Christ are adequate for these things, but our adequacy is in God. Now one of the interesting things as the Apostle Paul wrote he would frequently break off from the main subject and Just take off on a different theme for a bit.

Usually something that was suggested by just a word or a phrase and and that's what he does here in this chapter. So as a result while you're reading Paul Paul's writings you've got to be very careful to follow The context and pay close attention in order to follow his flow of thought.

Now in this passage he goes from the truth that it was God that made him adequate To be a minister of the new covenant right into a discussion about the superiority of that covenant. You know Paul was very passionate.

Wasn't he very passionate about the gospel? And I think sometimes that passion got the best of him because frequently as I'm reading him. Don't you agree that it seems like he can't even contain himself.

He just goes off and I just love that about him. What a passion. We should all have that passion. But here he contrasts the two covenants and he says in verse 6 we are servants of a new covenant. Not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Now by the letter Paul here. He means the Mosaic law. Which was a set of written commandments without any inherent power in itself to make us obey. He calls that the letter The law alone without the Holy Spirit applying it is a dead letter right and since it's dead It cannot be a source of life.

The letter can condemn us and it can show us our sin, but it's unable to save us. Only the Spirit of God can give us life and. So the Spirit here refers to the Holy Spirit the true source of life and the administrator of the new covenant.

Now it's important not to misunderstand Paul here. He is not teaching that the old covenant is bad. Only that it's incapable of giving life. The law is holy and just and good. But it cannot give life to sinners.

On the contrary it condemns those who sin. The law convicts us and condemns us and that's how it kills. It's not that the law is bad. It's that we're bad right and consequently the law judges our sin.

And it becomes our executioner, and it is not a source of life for us. I Think back to our Roman study earlier this year in Romans 3 20 even says by the works of the law. No flesh will be justified in his sight for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

And you know it's the worst kind of rank heresy and the most deluding kind of false Hope to think that you can earn life for yourself. By any of legal obedience on your own because you just can't but the Spirit.

God's Spirit Grants life to sinners and Paul says that right there in Romans 8. In Romans 8 2 he says for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

For what the law could not do weak as it was through the flesh God did. Sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin. He condemned sin in the flesh so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us.

Who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit? Okay, so here's the sum of it all. Paul is saying that as servants of the New Covenant We have a better message than the Old Covenant.

It's a message of life and of salvation for sinners. The Old Covenant was a message of condemnation. But the New Covenant is better. Now I want to be careful to understand here that Paul was not teaching that people living under the Old Covenant couldn't be saved.

And he was not teaching that people under the Old Covenant were saved in a different way from people under the New Covenant. It's not what he means all the Old Testament Saints were saved by grace through faith.

Just as we're saved today, but what he is saying here is simply this. That the New Covenant makes clear. What the Old Covenant veiled? Everything that was obscure and hard to understand. Under the Old Covenant is explained in a lumen for us under the New Covenant.

So the New Covenant is better because it clarifies those things which were clouded in mystery under the Old Covenant. And that's why the New Covenant is so much better. Makes the way of salvation absolutely clear.

It doesn't introduce a new way of salvation. It's that it brings us face to face with Christ and then unveils him by making the way of salvation clear. And that's why it's better. You know, the Old Covenant brought people face to face with their sin and kept a veil between us and God's glory but the New Covenant.

That veil is removed and that's what Paul is saying here. Well, let's look at verse 7 now in beginning at verse 7 Describing an event that took place in the life of Moses that I'm sure you'll remember.

It's that time when Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive the law and he asked to see the glory of God. Exodus 33 describes what happened Exodus 33 in verse 18, then Moses said I pray you show me your glory.

And you know scripture says that God was eager to show Moses his goodness. And his mercy and his grace verse 19. And so God said I myself Will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.

Now there's that famous verse from Romans 9 right recognize that one but God here is expressing his desire to answer Moses request and to show him the glory of God and The glory he wanted Moses to see was all about his goodness.

Was all about his mercy and his grace. But you know, there was one problem in verse 20. It says but you cannot see my face. For no man can see me and live. It's no small problem. So God is telling Moses you can't see my face because if you did it would kill you.

This is an act of mercy to Moses. And so you remember what happened. God hid him in the cleft of a rock where Moses was shielded as God passed by. And verse 22 says and it will come about. While my glory is passing by that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

Then I will take my hand away. And you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen. And you remember what happened right. Exodus 34 29 says that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai that his face shone and The people were frightened by it.

You know that one brief glimpse of God's back made Moses face shine. Because of their fear Moses had to wear a veil To hide the reflection of divine glory until it eventually faded away. Now here in 2nd Corinthians Paul is using this incident to teach us a profound truth about sanctification.

The Veil, Moses, and the Greater Glory of the New Covenant

So finally, let's look at verse 7 Says. But if the ministry of death in letters engraved on stones came with glory. So that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face fading as it was.

How will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it.

So you see what he's saying here. Moses face didn't have an inherent glory. Didn't have a glory of its own. It was made glorious by reflection. Verse 11 for if that which fades away was with glory much more that which remains is in glory.

Therefore having such a hope we use great boldness in our speech and are not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face. So that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.

But their minds were hardened for until this very day at the reading of the Old Covenant. The same veil remains unlifted because it is removed in Christ. So here what Paul's doing is he's using the veil and the reflection of the glory as an object lesson.

To make the distinction between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant and here is his point in all of this. Now the Old Covenant was glorious. Okay, I mean the glory shown on Moses face, even though he had a veil over it.

So you see it really was glorious. But the New Covenant was much more glorious and the amazing thing about it is that nothing is veiled. The truth of the New Covenant is explicit the mystery has been made abundantly clear and The glory of the New Covenant is on full display for everyone to see in the person of Christ and in the truth of the gospel.

Now you might wonder well, how much more glorious is the New Covenant and I'm glad you asked flip over to chapter 4. 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 in verse 6. We'll just look there quickly. For God who said light shall shine out of darkness is the one who has shown in our hearts.

To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Do you hear that in the face of Jesus Christ? Now remember Moses just saw God's back. He wasn't even able to look at his face, but we get to look at his face in a spiritual sense because we have the knowledge of Christ and Here's what verse 18 is telling us.

We get to look at the glory of God unveiled. No veil obscuring our vision of it. And as we look at Christ's glory, we are gradually conformed more and more into his likeness. It's not like Moses experience with the glory, right?

Moses just got a brief glimpse of it one time. And so his reflected glory eventually faded away, but we get to look at it continually. So that the glory eventually transforms us. And that's exactly how sanctification works.

Now with that background under our belts, let's take a look at verse 18 and get closer into it. I'll read it again, but we all with unveiled face. Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.

Just as from the Lord the Spirit. All right. Well, let's just take it a piece at a time. Now. First of all, he says we all All. Now that in itself is a stunning statement when you think about it. You remember Paul was writing this to contrast the Old Covenant to the New Covenant now under the Old Covenant Moses was the only one allowed to see God's glory and he was the only one who reflected it.

But under the New Covenant, there's a new principle in force. And that is the principle of the priesthood of the believers. See we no longer have need of an earthly mediator or a priesthood. We are all invited to come boldly before the throne of grace we all.

And you know it gets even better than that because we get to see the glory firsthand all of us every true believer. And As we come face to face with the glory of Christ as he is revealed in the Word of God.

We will be utterly and completely transformed by it and We will begin to reflect Christ's glory as it changes us into his image. You know as we get to know him as we learn more of him We will see his glory more clearly and we're conformed into his image.

And it's just amazing to me that that privilege of gazing at his glory firsthand is extended to every Christian. We all with unveiled face. Beholding the glory of the Lord. Let's look at that last that next phrase for a moment beholding the glory of the Lord.

I mean, that's just incredible that we can gaze at the glory. Now, of course, the glory is revealed to us in a different way than it was to Moses. It's not a physical manifestation of glory it's not a literal radiance that you can see with your physical eyes.

Won't make your skin glow, but it's something even better. See it's the glory of truth. Which is to be found in the fullness of the New Testament revelation. And it's the same glory that Moses saw even though we perceive it differently.

We actually see it in a better way. You know in the Old Testament God's glory was frequently manifest as a shining radiance and it was so bright. That nobody could look at it and live. But in Christ that glory is manifest in human form.

It's a better manifestation of glory because it takes into account our human weakness. And it reveals the fullness of God's glory in a way to us that is accommodated to the limitations of our humanity.

You know, I'm reminded of my study in John's Gospel. John described that glory to us. Didn't he do you remember in John chapter 1? Verse 14 says. And we saw his glory glory as of the only begotten from the Father full of Grace and truth.

Now, you know, I was thinking about that for a minute. John had witnessed the physical manifestation of Christ's glory a first on the Mount of Transfiguration. And then in his vision of Christ in Revelation 1.

But look at how John describes the glory of Christ in his gospel. He doesn't mention a physical radiance. He doesn't mention a visible glow. But rather he emphasizes that the glory is full of grace and truth.

You see the glory we behold is not of Bodily perception. We don't literally gaze into the the face of Christ. We don't see anything with our physical eyes because it's not a physical manifestation at all.

But it is the same glory of grace and truth that we read about in John 1. But the glory is visible only to those who have eyes of faith. But you know. It's a real glory and its effects are real. And as our verse says we behold that glory with unveiled faces.

Without any veil or anything else to obstruct our view. We see it as if we were looking into a mirror. Consider how much more clear a vision of the glory that is. I Mean the Old Covenant Saints saw the glory reflected in Moses face.

We get to see it in a mirror, which is a much clearer vision. It's a direct vision and our view is unimpeded. And that's what Paul is saying here. He's contrasting the second-hand reflection of the glory that they saw on the face of Moses, which was indirect.

Which was covered up by a veil was mysterious and will frightening frankly. And he's contrasting it with New Testament Christianity. Which is open and explicit and clear. It's a more personal more intelligible.

You know under the New Covenant truth is not represented by types and ceremonies. Symbols that are difficult to understand and it doesn't require an earthly mediator or a priesthood. In fact, it's distinguishing mark is it's clear intelligibility.

It's direct comprehensible, it's. It's easily understood. It's manifest for each one of us to see and handle and study and gaze upon. Intently and personally the way you look into a mirror and the mirror in which we see the glory of God reflected is the scripture.

You know James compares the Word of God to scripture in James chapter 1. Do you remember that and there? He says that the person who is an effectual doer of the word and not a forgetful hearer looks intently At the perfect law of Liberty and abides by it.

Now that last part there is critical. Because we must not only study the scripture, but as Mike was saying earlier we must abide by it. It's only when we live up to the light that we already have that more light is granted to us.

You know, I think theologian AW pink might may have said it best when he wrote those study of and Meditation upon the word are indeed means of grace and growth. Yet spiritual understanding is obtained chiefly from personal submission to God.

He will not grant light on the mysteries of scripture if we forsake the path of obedience. John 7 17 backs him up on that. It says if anyone is willing to do his will he will know of the teaching. But you see here the Word of God is compared to a mirror because that's where you see the glory of Christ.

It's in scripture. The Christ is revealed to us. We see him clearly and we get to know him intimately and then that clear vision of his glory Transforms us. That's what our verse is telling us. This is the power that drives our progress as Christians.

It is not through rigid obedience and Where we try by raw human effort and willpower to reform ourselves. But what conforms us to the image of Christ is seeing him as he is revealed to us in scripture in all his glory and We all beholding the Lord are utterly transformed all of us as We behold the glory of the Lord are gradually but inevitably changed into his likeness.

Now if you think about Moses. Moses experience left him ultimately unchanged, didn't it? The reflection of his face was a receding glory and eventually it faded away completely. But you know the glory of the New Covenant is a better and more lasting glory.

Instead of receding it's a reflection that a reflection that grows brighter and stronger over time. And you see the reason is because the luster that made Moses face shine was external. It was only skin-deep.

But the light we see in Christ is inward and it completely transforms us in a lasting way. It's permanent. It's ever ever-increasing and as believers single-mindedly focus on the scriptures. They will see God's glory Reflected in the face of Jesus and they will be transformed into his image by the powerful internal work of the Holy Spirit.

That's what our verse is telling us here. It totally and completely changes us. Paul says that it transforms us into the same image of the Lord from glory to glory or from glory to To higher levels of glory more and more.

It's progressive. Now, you know Paul uses that word actually that same word for transform in Romans 12 2. I'm sure you've thought of it be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And you know you renew your mind by filling it with an understanding of Christ's glory.

It's a simple principle really and this is the way that we're sanctified. Our minds are transformed by the truth of Christ's glory and As you worship Christ and see him revealed in Scripture. You will be transformed into his likeness.

Study him intently and the process is accelerated and as I said earlier the process of sanctification Will not be complete until we come face to face with Christ in his literal physical glory. But when you do just one look at him in heaven Will change you instantly?

Into the perfect reflection of his character in his glory. Do you know that it's what the Apostle John describes for us in 1st John 3 2. He says beloved now. We are children of God and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.

We know that when he appears we will be like him because we will see him just as he is. So John is saying because we see him just as he is we are transfigured instantly. Into his perfect likeness. It's the vision of Christ's glory that changes us from what we are into what we will be.

And if you're a true believer, then that process is occurring in your life right now. And it will continue throughout your entire life. Sometimes the process of growth can be quite rapid and other times it can be imperceptibly slow.

But you know. You can speed it up by contemplating more about the glory of Christ and spending more time Gazing at that glory as it's revealed in Scripture as we see his glory. That is the effect that naturally occurs.

The glory of Christ has a powerful transforming influence and it changes us as we. So that we become a reflection of the image of Christ now. I want to transition here because I alluded earlier to the fact that sanctification is a process.

And I wanted to look at that process and Scripture actually says quite a bit about it. If you're a true believer, then your entire life should be marked by progressive spiritual growth. But we never arrive at the finish here on earth.

There's no such thing as perfect sanctification in this life, but all throughout our lives. We are dependent on Scripture to nourish us and to cause us to grow. Scripture is one of the primary means that God uses to cause this growth in our lives and Just as the process of physical growth is dependent upon food.

The same is true of spiritual growth. You grow as you eat and our food is the Scripture the Word of God. You know Matthew 4 4 says man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

So then it is Scripture that fuels our spiritual growth as we increase in our knowledge of Christ's glory because when we as believers Live in and walk in the truth. We progress in our Christ likeness.

Now what was interesting to me? Is that the Bible actually talks about this growth in very specific terms and it defines Several different levels of spiritual growth showing us clearly the sanctification is progressive.

So I want to look at that 1st John in chapter 2 is the definitive text on the stages of growth. So let's turn there and examine this issue more closely. 1st John chapter 2. I'm going to start in verse 12 John says I I am writing to you little children because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

Now this verse this is a general statement to all believers and the word for children here is the Greek word technia. It's technia and it's a general term for children of God without regard to whether you're young or you're old.

In fact, all of us could be called technia, right Bob. All right. So I am a child of my parents and no matter how old I get to be I will always be their child. Right, so we're all little children. We are all technia.

All believers are God's children and we've all been forgiven. So we know that John here is talking about believers, okay? So we're all children of God in the broad sense we're all saved we're all forgiven.

So it's to us that he's speaking. But then he splits us up into three different groups and this is fascinating to me starting in verse 13 I'll read it says I am writing to you fathers. Because you know him who has been from the beginning.

I Am writing to you young men because you have overcome the evil one. I Have written to you children and this is a different word here for children. Because you know the father and then he repeats it verse 14 says I have written to you fathers because you know him who has Been from the beginning.

I have written to you young men because you are strong the Word of God Abides in you and you have overcome the evil one. So John here he identifies us all as children of God in the broad sense because we're forgiven believers are forgiven.

But then he splits us into three categories children young men and fathers. And these are three stages of spiritual growth. So what we're talking about here is spiritual maturity and we fall into three categories.

So let's look at them first of all the end of verse 13. I have written to you Children now this world this word for children is not technia. This is the word idea which specifically means kids it means sort of elementary kids and You know one characteristic of kids is that They're ignorant, right?

How else do you say it? They're ignorant and they've got to be educated. In fact, that's what we do with kids in elementary school. Isn't it? We eliminate their ignorance at a basic level. They need to learn.

But look what else he says at the end of verse 13. I have written to you children Because you know the father now this implies parental recognition. When you first become a Christian, you know God, you know that God is your father.

You depend on God you trust on God, you know that God loves you and that's what you know, and it's pretty much. All you know, you're still immature. You recognize whose you are you recognize who cares for you and who loves you and who sent his son for you?

You have an attachment to God and a dependence on God, but it has more to do with your trust Than with your knowledge and it's characteristic of children according to Ephesians 4 to be tossed to and fro and carried about.

With every wind of doctrine and that's because their ignorance has not yet been eliminated. They're still learning their ABCs. They don't have the ability to discern. And so they need to be protected because they're really susceptible to error.

You know, the scripture doesn't leave such children to fend for themselves without advice or direction. First Peter 2 2 is written specifically for believers in this phase of their spiritual growth. It says like newborn babies long for the pure milk of the Word.

So that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. I Don't know about you, but that sounds to me like good advice for all of us. But the first thing to focus on when you're a new Christian Is the Word of God.

It's the key to your development and your maturity. So this is the first stage of spiritual growth. Children the second category now John mentions is young men. Verse 13 middle of the verse I Am writing to you young men because you have overcome the evil one.

Verse 14 middle I have written to you young men because you are strong and the Word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one. Okay. Now that what is the difference between a spiritual child and a spiritual young man?

Well first spiritual young men have overcome the evil one, right? So what does that tell us about spiritual children that they've not overcome the evil one. They are therefore susceptible to error. You know, remember what scripture tells us about Satan that he is disguised as an angel of light.

He spends his time deceiving people he spends his time confusing the undiscerning. And you cannot overcome The evil one who spends most of his efforts in lies and in deception. You can't do that unless you're strong and the word if you become strong in the word you have overcome the evil one.

Now, of course, that doesn't mean you're sinless. The evil one isn't the problem with sin. You're the problem with sin and I'm the problem. It's the flesh not the devil. That makes us sin. You know the contrast between sin and righteousness in Galatians 5 is not a contrast between the the spirit and the devil.

It's a contrast between the spirit and the flesh. So spiritual young men at any rate have overcome the evil one and they do this because they are strong. Now, how did they get strong? Well, it says right there the Word of God abides in you.

So here you see very clearly how to get from spiritual infancy and vulnerability to spiritual strength. The Word of God is the means by which this change occurs and when you are strong in the truth. You have overcome the evil one you have grown up out of your immaturity.

You're no longer victimized by error. You know, it's wonderful to be in that Situation to that condition because it eliminates so much potential for destruction in your life. This book is a book full of wisdom.

Now once again, it doesn't mean that you're sinless. Because that's the flesh but it does mean that we have prevailed over the deceiver young men. Well now that's not the end of spiritual growth we've seen in the first stages.

Spiritual children and the children grow up into young men and then finally it says third and the most mature are the fathers. He says I'm writing to you fathers. Because you know him who has been from the beginning.

So spiritual fathers know the eternal God, right? And this is the highest level of spiritual development. The highest level of sanctification is not to know doctrine. But to know the eternal God. This is where you've gone beyond the doctrine and seen the one who is revealed there In all his glory.

It's where you live in in wonder and in awe. It's where you live in worship. It's where you're more concerned about loving God and Adoring God and worshiping God than in pronouncing your theological accuracy.

Life all of a sudden is not identified by your theology. It's identified by adoration it's identified by your worship. This is where your biblical knowledge has sufficiently deepened. But it's where biblical knowledge is not all that you have but you have seen the hand of God and the power of God and the grace of God and the mercy of God and the Goodness of God revealed on the pages of Scripture and then made manifest in your daily life.

And you have grown in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Word has done its work year after year after year. And God has made himself known in your life. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

The Stages of Spiritual Growth in 1 John 2

Well, you know time is fleeting. I don't want to leave off without considering what to do about all of this. It's been an interesting study, but here's the so what portion, okay? We've seen clearly here in this passage.