February 15

Transfigured Lives

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. — Rom 12:2 BSB

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. — 2 Cor 3:18 BSB

In our texts, the word translated as "transformed" or "changed" is the same used in Matthew 17:2; this must have been in the Apostle’s mind when he said, "Be ye transfigured," and "we are transfigured into the same image." How can this transformation happen? First, from within, by the renewing of the mind; and second, by beholding the glory of the Lord.

The renewing of the mind is not about emotion or ecstasy but about bringing our minds into close and constant contact with the truth contained in the Holy Scriptures. You do not need to look in the mirror to see if you are being transfigured; but as you immerse your mind daily in God’s Word, you will be transformed without even realizing it. Moses did not know that his face shone—it was the crowd at the foot of the mountain who noticed it, not him.

Jesus said, "Abide in Me and I in you." This is somewhat mystical and profound, but He also said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you," which is surely within our reach. "It is not too high, not too deep, not too inward, not too mystical," as Dr. Whyte once said; "when the Master asks that His words abide in me, He simply means that I shall often recall and reflect on His words, repeating them to myself."

As a person thinks in their heart, so they are. If we think the thoughts of self-giving that characterized our Lord’s resolve on the Mount of Transfiguration—if we are determined to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—then the transforming glory of that high resolve will pass into our faces, illuminating even our simplest actions and words.

Beholding and reflecting the glory of the Lord. The mirror is again the Holy Scriptures. In them, we see the highest glory of our Lord, not in His creation but in His redemptive work. As we gaze on Him who, for our sake, did not hide His face from shame and scorn, but became a willing sacrifice, we will be changed.

Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, grant me such communion with You that my soul may continually long for the day when I shall see You in Your glory. In the meantime, may I behold Your glory in the mirror of Your Word and be changed into the same image. Amen.