If we become concerned about a character trait we see in ourselves that we’d like to change, we might search Google for blog posts. “Ten Ways to Tame Your Temper” or “Six Ways to Curb a Sharp Tongue.” *
We might read a book on the subject, seek counsel, or even do a topical Bible study.
We might set standards and rules for ourselves.
There’s nothing wrong with any of those approaches. I’ve used them all and found help in each one.
But we often forget the primary means God gave us to change.
“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 3:18).
We’re changed bit by bit by beholding His glory.
Well, how does that work?
When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you.” Then “the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 33:18-23; 34:5-7).
GotQuestions defines the glory of God as “the beauty of His spirit . . . that emanates from His character, from all that He is.”
John Piper says, “The glory of God is the manifest beauty of his holiness. It is the going-public of his holiness. It is the way he puts his holiness on display for people to apprehend. So, the glory of God is the holiness of God made manifest.”
When we read and study our Bibles or listen to sermons, we don’t just look for principles, helpful as those are. We look for God. What does this passage say about Him? What is it demonstrating to me about Him? We behold Him, see Him, worship Him in all His goodness.
When I’m battling pride, nothing helps me more than thinking of Jesus, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).
When I’m craving things I shouldn’t have, I think of Jesus being tempted with bread after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. He had a legitimate need to eat, but He resisted Satan’s temptations to partake on his terms.
When I have trouble loving others as I should, I think how Jesus loved me when I was unlovable and undeserving.
When I’d rather hold a grudge than forgive, I think how He has forgiven me so much more than anything I’m asked to forgive others.
When I see Him in the gospels meeting people’s needs, busy but not stressed, I’m helped to avoid becoming frenzied with all I need to do.
Interruptions are my biggest pet peeves. Realizing that the incident with the woman with the issue of blood was an interruption to Jesus’ journey to heal Jairus’ daughter added a dimension to these situations I had not realized before. Jesus was not ruffled at the delay. He took it in stride.
When I behold Him, I see my limitations. I’m painfully aware I am not Him. I’m humbled to realize just how much I need Him.
When I behold Him, anxiety flees away. He can take care of any problem that comes up.
Hannah Anderson wrote in Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul about the Colossians who “believed they could reach purity by adhering to certain standards” and were “holding fast to their regulations” instead of Christ.
Ultimately the Colossians’ pride was revealed by what they were looking at, by what had captured their attention. Instead of being concerned with eternal realities, they were concerned with regulating temporary realities. Instead of being consumed with Christ’s glory, they were consumed with their own. But it is only by beholding Christ that we are changed. It is only by beholding Christ who Himself took “on the form of a servant” that we learn to serve each other (p. 94).
Standards and regulations have their place. But real heart change occurs as we behold God’s glory.
May our heart’s cry be like David’s:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you (Psalm 63:1-3).
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple (Psalm 27:4).
___
*Made up titles.
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
Amen. Understanding the “from glory to glory” and “degrees” of glory explain that transformation takes place not in a single instance (i.e., poof you’re a Christian, perfect in every way) but that upon our true salvation, the Holy Spirit begins to change us. It happens in stages, some with more growth than others. Growing in our faith is dependent upon feeding our faith. Like a child, the more regularly you feed it and the better it is fed, the better it will grow. God’s blessings ma’am.
It sure would be nice if we went “poof” and immediately became perfectly Christlike. But God must have some reason to cause it happen gradually. I am thankful He gives us the means for transformation by beholding Him in His Word and renewing our minds . . .and He’s patience with our many stumbles along the way.
After publishing this post, I thought of this beautiful song base on this verse:
Beautiful song! And, as a practical person, I loved your “Well, how does that work?” and your examples. I pray that I can look to Jesus first the next time I’m facing a challenge of any kind.
**And yes, you’d love Les Mis. I saw it on stage in London (that was my first exposure to it). SO much better than the movie I later saw.
I like when speakers frame whatever they are saying into real life experiences.
I first saw Les Mis when I rented the 10th anniversary video from the library years ago just to see what all the fuss was about. I loved it so much, and the voices in that performance are the ones that seem right to me. 🙂 I was disappointed in the movie musical. It did help to see the scenes acted out, but they needed to cast singers who could act rather than actors who sang.
I agree, having this focus is a really helpful one when we want to change something. It reminds me of a talk I heard where the speaker was describing his dog having got hold of something he shouldn’t have and the difficulty of trying to pull and prise it from his mouth. The dog was clinging on and nothing was working. Eventually he got the dog to let go by finding some food – something even more attractive to the dog – so it had to let go of the first thing to take hold of something better. The speaker used it as an illustration that if we focus on trying to let go of sin it will probably be hard but it is much easier if we look at something better (Jesus) and want to let go of it to pursue him. I like the examples you give in your post.
That’s a good illustration. So often we fixate on the thing we want but shouldn’t have, and that makes it harder to let go.
Maybe I have got to change,
and find a new direction,
but would that be to rearrange
my calm and bright perfection?
It is not that I am proud;
I simply face the facts
that I am portrayed quite loud
in, say, Book of Acts.
Not myself in person, mind;
that would be insane!
But I think I am the kind
who would be asked to remain…
(‘Cut the jambs back, mate, some more,
this bloke’s ego won’t fit through the door!’)
Excellent lesson here, Barbara. I’m always amazed at how many people ask me for the name of a [self-help] book they can read to conquer a sin problem. When we learn to know and love Jesus more and more, sin becomes less and less of an issue.
Barbara, this is a beautiful reminder. I love the verse you chose. This>>”When we read and study our Bibles or listen to sermons, we don’t just look for principles, helpful as those are. We look for God” We sure do look for God
Visiting today from Joanne’s
Pingback: July Reflections | Stray Thoughts
A great reminder Barbara that the Word is the best place to seek His wisdom in our lives & that we are being transformed into His image bit by bit as we walk with HIm.
Visiting from Joanne’s today where we’re sitting together around the table in Let’s Have Coffee 😉
Blessings, Jennifer
Congratulations, your post will be featured on Monday at SSPS #272. I will also share it on FB Bloggers Share, Care & Inspire as well as Instagram: _esmesalon
Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you at the next Party on Monday
Ps: Thank you so very much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Pingback: Authentic August | Grace~Filled Moments