So, how do we change?

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

Change you can believe in! A better mirror, a better result Change you can believe in!

The Mirror The Heart The Process

So, how does it work?

Where change is concerned… Relationship works better than Law.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The reality is that most people think this works better Paul is defending his New Covenant ministry as a better one than the Old Testament principles so many cling to. The reality is that most people think this works better

How it worked back then... Try really hard

Exodus 34:29-30 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

Exodus 34:31-33 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.  And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.

Exodus 34:34-35 But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

When Moses would speak to the Lord face-to-face, the glory of God would cause His face to shine. Moses was changed by the glory of God and it intimidated the children of Israel.

2 Corinthians 3:7-8 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 2 Corinthians 3:9-12 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 

It’s temporary and, like the glory on Moses’ face, passing away. The problem with the Old Covenant is that it is a ministry of death in that people can’t keep it. It’s temporary and, like the glory on Moses’ face, passing away. Trying hard just doesn’t work!

But, the New Covenant does not pass away. It is more glorious. It works because God is the One who changes us!

Contrasting the Old and New Covenants The New Letter (outward) v. 6 Death v. 6 Stone v. 6 Some glory vv. 7, 8, 10 Condemnation v. 9 Temporary v. 11 Spirit (inward) Life Spirit Greater glory Righteousness Permanent

2 Corinthians 3:13-16 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 

A veil lies over Israel’s heart. In fact, it’s over all unbeliever’s hearts. Believing takes it away!

Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Mirror The Heart The Process

The “mirror” is the Scriptures. God uses His Word to change us! 2 Corinthians 3:18 The “mirror” is the Scriptures. God uses His Word to change us! The Scriptures reveal to us the glory of Christ! John 5:39; Lk. 24:27, 44-45

A believing heart takes away the veil! 2 Corinthians 3:16 A believing heart takes away the veil! The same Lord that brought the Old Covenant brings the New.

We have to see that the Scriptures reflect the person of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 We have to see that the Scriptures reflect the person of Christ. It is the glory of God that changes us.

For transformation to take place, faith has to be present. 2 Corinthians 3:18 For transformation to take place, faith has to be present.

2 Corinthians 3:18 Faith takes the veil away initially and faith is the principle for a walk with Him Gal. 2:20; Heb. 11:6; 1 John 5:13

2 Corinthians 3:18 – “from glory to glory” Growth is a process! And, it’s a process that involves the Word of God. 2 Pet. 3:18; Heb. 5:11-14 Time in the Word is essential for growth!

2 Corinthians 3:18 – “from glory to glory” Spirituality isn’t in breathy tones of voice or pseudo-spirituality. We don’t encounter God by looking for an experience. We come face-to-face with God in the Scriptures.

2 Corinthians 3:18 – “from glory to glory” We encounter the glory of God in the Word. And it changes us.

2 Corinthians 3:18 – “from glory to glory” The work of transformation is not our own, but “by the Spirit of the Lord” Romans 8:11 He can give life to a dead body!!

2 Corinthians 3:18 – “from glory to glory” Luke 24:32-35 They experienced the process!

The mirror: God’s Word!

The Heart: Believing comes from you!

But, there’s one more thing: The Process: From glory to glory! It takes time. But, there’s one more thing:

The Agent: God Himself changes us!

The Mirror: God’s Word The Heart: I believe when I read The Process: It takes time, but God changes us… From glory to glory!

Change you can believe in! A better mirror, a better result Change you can believe in!

Do you read the Scriptures because you have to or because you have to?

Change you can believe in! A better mirror, a better result Change you can believe in!