Transformed By Beholding

Transformed by Beholding

Seeing Jesus is very important. We are not changed by what we do, but by what we see. Evidently not many of us have seen Him, because there is something that inevitably happens and you are changed from one degree of glory to another. Something dramatic happens when you come in contact with the real living Jesus. The word “change” lets me know there is something better or there would be no need for change.

By our first birth we are children of wrath, totally depraved, dead in trespasses and sins. The nature we receive at our natural birth is the nature of father Adam, incorrigibly corrupt, unable to do a single thing to please God. In order for this to change, there must be a new birth. John 3:6-7 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (KJV)

The new birth is a new birth and not a rebirth. The two are totally distinct and separate and will always be. It’s hard for the Christian to swallow the fact that, even after we have been born again the deceitfulness of the flesh remains in the believer. He doesn’t do away with the old man but now there are two natures within me. Paul confirmed this in Rom 7:14-17 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (KJV) Does this in any way sound familiar? Perhaps this is why He said “Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

When we received Christ we are no more of this world, but the flesh is still with us and must be dealt with. In my own life it has not been one single spiritual experience but a series of burials and a succession of funerals along the way. About the time I think I have the old man buried, he seems to have the ability to resurrect. When the wine has just been poured from one vessel to another it seems crystal clear, but after a while there is a sediment that forms on the bottom. The sediment is the flesh of the grape. Know matter how small you grind it, it is still flesh. Know matter how you beautify it, it is still flesh. Now it’s time to be poured from one vessel to another. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.”

God called Moses to come up into the mountain for orientation to teach the law. Exod 24:12-18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

14 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.

15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and he went up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

The cloud covered the mountain and the glory abode on the mount. The sight of the glory was not that of a cloud but like a devouring fire. The devouring fire represents His glory. At this time Moses did not go into the glory but into the cloud. The cloud represents His presence.

Moses had just spent forty days and forty nights in direct communion with God Himself. It must have been an awesome time being in His divine presence for such a period of time. I am sure that we have all witnessed the presence of the Lord to one degree or another. I have sat basking in His presence to the extent I just knew that I would no longer be the same only to come to the conclusion that I still had more dying to do. Surely forty days and forty nights in the presence of God Himself would bring total transformation.