3:18 comes from 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“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.”
ESV
The whole chapter is important in understanding the context but within 3:18 you get a picture of what Biblical change looks like. There is a clear picture of the triune God working in the lives of Christians to make them holy through sanctification. Our growth in sanctification is the main focus in biblical counseling.
Those who have put their hope in Christ are given special access to behold the glory of the Lord with an unveiled face. The heart veil has been removed so that we can fully and clearly see the glory of God. Christians are given an unimpeded, face-to-face relationship with the living God through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Beholding the glory of the Lord leads to transformation of the heart which leads to transformed lives. The word for transformed is the same word that is used when describing the transfiguration of Christ in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2. Image and glory are interrelated ideas throughout Scripture. Humans bear the image of God (Imago Dei) and were created to reflect, cultivate, and participate in the glory of God. Through progressive sanctification we are being restored in the image of God that was diminished by sin in the Fall of Genesis 3.
We are being transformed into Christ’s image; who is the better, perfect Adam. From one degree of glory to another shows the on going, incremental, dynamic glory that is received until full glorification at Christ’s return. It can be slow, arduous growth; or explosive, transformative growth; but most often it is seasons of everything in between.
The phrase one degree of glory to another reminds me that we change in ever-increasing degrees of glory. These degrees may seem imperceptible at times as we or others look at our lives. But when you zoom out we can see the change of righteousness that God is bringing about. We want quick fixes but God brings about hard fought victories against sin and unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 3:18 reminds us that we are made glorious by observing the glory of God that transforms us from one degree of glory to another as we are conformed into Christ’s image through the work of the Holy Spirit.
How is “beholding the glory of the Lord” transforming your life?
How is the Lord growing you in your sanctification? In what ways has this been a slow process? In what ways have you seen rapid growth?