Becoming New: 5 Days of Transformation Through God’s WordSample

The Glory of God in Us

In the Scriptures for today’s reading plan, the apostle Paul makes the amazing announcement that Christians today can have a “shining face experience” even greater than that of Moses. Consider the five lessons we can learn.

There are no special people. Although we all have different gifts and callings, God has no favorites and God’s grace cares nothing about human merit. Every obedient and cleansed believer may come boldly into God’s presence to worship and pray (Heb. 10:19–22). We all have the privilege of knowing God’s will, and with His help, doing it for His glory. One day we will each be rewarded according to our labor.

There are no special places. Acts 7:48 tells us that God doesn’t live in temples made by human hands, nor does He meet with us on fiery mountains (Heb. 12:18–24). While we may have meaningful memories associated with special places, simply being in these places does not duplicate past experiences. We don’t need to find a “holy place,” because God knows our needs and can meet them anywhere.

There are no exclusive blessings. We will only be judged according to what we have done with what God gave us and not what others have done with what He gave them (Matt. 25:14–30). God chooses His workers and uses them according to His sovereign will, but all His children have been blessed with everything they need to live for God and serve Him.

Our blessings are greater. Paul explains that God wrote the law on tablets of stone, but today He writes His Word on our hearts. The process of becoming new begins not on the outside but rather in our hearts! This is why God instructs us to guard our hearts (Prov. 4:23). The old covenant of law brought death, but the new covenant brings life.

Where you look influences what you become. As the children of God look into the mirror of the Word of God, they see Jesus and are transformed into His image from glory to glory. The average person at Sinai couldn’t have had the experience Moses had, but we can—and we should! Moses didn’t know his face was aglow, nor will you see your face shine as you fellowship with the Lord. But others will see it and be attracted to Jesus.

Reflect: What do you spend most of your time looking at, and how is it influencing your ability to reflect the glory of God within you?

Pray: Pray Matthew 5:14, 16, and ask God that His light within you would shine before others and glorify your Father in heaven.