|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THEME: FOUNDATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
By Rt. Rev Emmanuel Egbunu
Topic 5. Gazing on Christ to Become Like Him
Readings: Exodus 34: 29-35; 2 Corinth. 3: 4-18.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3:18 And 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.
Many things bring transformation to our lives: education, favourable circumstances, access to wealth, wide travel and exposure, better living conditions or change in status, cosmetics, special books, music and movies, spiritual encounters, and unforgettable friends. Transformation could be both outward and physical (as in new attires, cosmetics, and living standards), or it could be outward (as with the impact of special books and classics, music and movies, or spiritual encounters).
Of all the possibilities of transformation that man may experience, the most fulfilling is to be transformed into the likeness of Christ as we gaze on Him in growing intimacy through prayer, the word, and obedience. Man has no higher calling than to become like Christ. It is by far the most fulfilling achievement both for man and before God.
Following man’s fall in the Garden of Eden, the image of God which was his crowning identity in creation became like a shattered mirror needing replacement. That is the reason the Lord Jesus came, as we see variously expressed in these verses: Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost"; John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”; 1 John 3:8 “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”
The highest point of spirituality is to become like Christ in love for God and man, in humility, in a surrendered life, in holiness, in sacrificial self-giving, and a strong passion for the glory of God. Whatever our other attainments by way of intellectual ability, status, access to wealth, special friends, etc, apart from Christ, we are nothing, and can do nothing. A veil separates us from the radiance of God’s glory. That radiance comes upon us only as we behold the ever-increasing glory of God. This is possible through Christ by whom alone God’s glory is revealed (2 Cor 3:18).
How does this happen? We must set our hearts to obey His commands to love one another and to take the gospel to the whole world, beginning from wherever we are. Let us take a closer look at some of the virtues mentioned earlier:
Becoming Like Christ In Humility. Perhaps no other virtue makes us more like Christ than humility. This is the key virtue the Apostle Paul alluded to in his letter to the Philippians: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:5-8). It is in seeking to become like Christ in humility that we can become truly humble, especially as we react to situations in which our rights and dignity are tampered with on account of our identification with the gospel of Christ.
Becoming Like Christ in Surrender. This means releasing our ‘Isaacs’ (see Gen 22:2) to the Lord. This is what Abraham did when he did not hold back his beloved son. Surrender is what made the Lord Jesus pray, ‘Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42) when faced with the bitter cup of the looming cross. It is what made the early disciples turn “from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for His dear sake.” Testimonies abound of many who, like Paul, have left high privileges and paying jobs to go into Christian service. Surrender is the sweetest experience of Christian consecration. Frances Havergal whose hymns dwell much on this theme, writes: “In full and glad surrender, I give myself to Thee; Thine utterly and only, And evermore to be”. Most certainly, the flesh will cry out in fear of being destroyed, but all who have walked with the Lord along this path can testify to what a blessed experience it can be.
Becoming Like Christ in Holiness. Over the ages, many have seen holiness mostly in terms of ascetic living. But the perfect model of holiness is the life of Christ. That is what makes Paul the Apostle say to the Colossians, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Being transformed into His likeness should occupy our thoughts, prayers and yearnings as we seek to do His will in such a way that the life we live is the life of Christ, the thoughts on our minds are inspired by the Spirit of Christ, and the values we uphold are those of Christ.
Becoming Like Jesus in Love. The love of Jesus brings transformation to us, to the Church, and to the world through us as we are indwelt by His Spirit. His love is the highest standard of New Testament teaching on love: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30). Also in John 13:34 we read, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another"; and Matthew 5:44 records: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Christian love is impossible without drawing inspiration and empowerment from Christ.
In the closing days of the Lord’s earthly ministry, some Greeks approached the disciples with the request, “"we would like to see Jesus" (John 12:21). Even though at the time it was a request for audience with the physical person of Christ, it remains an endless yearning of humanity to see the likeness of Christ in transformed lives. This surely must be at the heart of His words that we are the salt of the earth. We can pray as Evie Tornquist sang, Let my life be a picture of you…”
There is probably no better way to conclude this meditation than with the exciting words of John the Beloved in 1 John 3:1
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
Collect for Lent IV
Almighty Father,
Whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross,
give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.