But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
The transformation of our inner man by beholding Christ in the pages of the Scripture is a foreign concept among many professing believers. They have little or no spiritual view of His Glory. Their acquaintance with Christ is defined by deeds done and creeds acknowledged rather than by an intensity of love towards Him. There seems to have been a return to the mere external duties of law rather than the privileges, advantages, and glories of the ministration of the Spirit in the gospel of Christ. Is this not because we have satisfied ourselves with a purely rational comprehension of the knowledge of Christ versus that spiritual persuasion from heaven of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 4:6)? Could it be that we have sought to imitate Christ rather than be transfigured by Christ? Transfiguration must occur before imitation.
Some men speak much of the imitation of Christ, and following of his example; and it were well if we could see more of it really in effect. But no man shall ever become “like unto him” by bare imitation of his actions, without that view or intuition of his glory which alone is accompanied with a transforming power to change them into the same image. (John Owen, The Glory of Christ, 304)
Though deficient in our beholding of Him, let us quicken our pace and turn our eyes this day unto Him. Christ is not buried in the earth but risen! Lift up your eyes on High.
If I could give this 1000 Likes I would! Amazing truth! Thank you for your labor in the Word for our edification and for sharing this!