V. Seeing Glory Face to Face: Transforming Glory
By Christine S., T4TL Ministry

*Get a great start with prayer.* So far we’ve studied about unveiling the face, but the whole reason to unveil the face lies in the glory beneath the veil. It is important to ask what the point of unveiling is if there is no glory.
What is glory? Webster defines glory as, “praise, honor, distinction, extended by common consent; distinguished quality or asset; great beauty and splendor; magnificence.” Webster specifically states that glory is not about self-pride.

Looking at Scripture Genesis 1-2 tell of a glorious scene, something that is honoring to God and, in 1:31 “was very good.” The scene changes in chapter 3 with the fall of man and the beginning of sin. From the start God had intentions of glory and was determined to see His plans restored. Christ enters the picture, sins are forgiven and glory can now be in humankind again. Glory is a process in the present, reaching into the future. It’s a process of transformation that will conclude in the New Heaven where imperfection, pain, hurt and death are no more.

So what does it look like for 2 Corinthians 3:18, that, “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit?”

“Ever-increasing:” Someone wise once told me that the greatest characteristic of life is its constant growth. If our faith isn’t growing, does that mean there still is life in it? Let me further this point with by talking about educational standards. Standardized tests are meant to show the performance of a school. When the test scores raise, performance is up; but teachers fear when test scores remain the same year after year, because that means performance is in a process of decrease. Faith is not meant to be stagnant; it is not a one time choice, but a transforming choice and lifestyle following the equation in John 3:30, “He (Christ) must become greater; I must become less.” The restoration of glory is a constant death to the imperfect, weak and broken physical life we live, in order that a new creation may be made of our lives- a creation that fully glorifies God.

“into his likeness:” Jesus says in John 15: 8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my disciples.” What does he mean by fruits that would reflect discipleship to the Lord Jesus? Make a list from the following Scriptures:



Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 4:12-17- After making a list, pick a virtue/attribute and pray about it. Focus on living out one a day and give up your actions that they may be glorifying to God. Also take some time to prayer journal, ponder these thoughts and ask the Spirit to speak and be at work in your transforming life.