The Kingdom Way to Change for the Better

2 Corinthians 3:18

¹⁸ 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.

All of us have certain areas of our lives that we want to see changed for the better. God put within our DNA the desire to increase, improve, and influence. A sense of satisfaction comes when we can see the positive proofs in our lives that we have changed for the better. The question is: how do we change for the better? Man's answer to this common question is to work harder, become more disciplined, give more self-effort, and stay diligent, focused, and determined to reach the desired goal. There is nothing "evil" about this approach to change. Many positive things come through man's diligent effort. But is this diligent self-effort also God's prescribed method of change?Now that we are in Christ and the Kingdom of God is within us, what does God say about the power to change?

As in many things, God's method of change is drastically different than man's way. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that we are changed when we behold "as in a mirror the glory of God." The glory of the Lord is the entirety of God's goodness, loving nature, and faithful character. In the New Covenant, Jesus is the totality of the glory of God. So we are changed for the better when we behold Jesus. This seems too simple in contrast to man's hard work and self-effort. But this is God's way. This is a better way.

Also note that we are to behold God's glory "as in a mirror." In the natural, when we look into a mirror, we see ourselves. But the mirror we are to look into is the Word of God (James 1:23). In the Word of God we see our true selves, we see who we are in Christ. As we behold Jesus and gaze upon his perfection and his perfect work that he did on our behalf, we are "changed." The Greek word is "metamorphoo" meaning "transformed." We are not just changed, we are transformed. Biblically, there is a difference. When you work hard, stay disciplined, and give optimal effort to change, you can modify your behavior. On the inside you are still the same but you have modified your behavior on the outside. But when you gaze upon the glory of God in the perfection of Christ, you are transformed. Transformation is stronger than change. In transformation, the change happens from the inside out. This is God's way to change---the better way!

While man seeks change through hard work, discipline, and determination, God works change in us through grace. Specifically he graces us in three ways so that we can change from the inside out:

1. The grace to behold the perfection of Jesus and His perfect work (2 Cor 3:18)

2. The grace to renew our minds, change our beliefs to line up with His Word, and thus, change our outward actions (Romans 12:1-2)

3. The grace to obtain all the goals and destiny God has set before us (1 Cor 15:10)

If you have been trying to achieve change through your own effort and hard work, make a decision today to see change happen in your life---God's way. Don't rely upon your own strength to change for the better. Look to Christ and watch the transformation take place!