LORD, Help Us To Be MORE Like YOU. AMEN.

Why, they are like JESUS CHRIST!
(J.R. Miller, "The Face of the Master")

"GOD has shone in our hearts to give 
the light of the knowledge of the glory 
of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST!" 
2 Corinthians 4:6

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding 

as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are 

being transformed into HIS likeness with 

ever-increasing glory!" 2 Corinthians 3:18

The face of CHRIST has transforming 

power. Those who look upon it 

in love, and intently--

are changed by it into 

its own beauty. This teaching 

is brought out very clearly in 

the New Testament. 

John tells us that when we shall 

see JESUS as HE is, we shall 

become like HIM.

The apostle Paul describes in wonderful 

way, the transforming power of the face 

of CHRIST as we look upon it: 

"But we all beholding as in a mirror 

the glory of the LORD, are being 

transformed into HIS likeness with 

ever-increasing glory!" 

The glory of the LORD is the glory which 

shines in the face of JESUS CHRIST. 

We cannot see that glory with our eyes, 

for CHRIST is in Heaven. But it is reflected 

for us on the pages of the gospel. 

As we ponder HIM in these pages 

intently, we look upon HIS glory.

The effect of this continued beholding, 

is the transformation of our lives into 

CHRIST'S image. That is, as we consider 

CHRIST, as we . . .
  read the story of HIS life,
  think of HIM,
  meditate on the beauty of HIS character,
  look into HIS face with love and adoration--
the brightness of that face prints itself upon 

our faces, and we are transformed into HIS

image. This transformation is not wrought 

suddenly, instantaneously, but gradually--

"with ever-increasing glory."

Life is a school. The qualities of Christian 

character are studies set for us. No one 

learns a musical instrument in one lesson. 

No one can become an accomplished artist 

in a day. Just so, no one can get the full 

beauty of CHRIST into his life in one brief 

year. We have it here in Paul's words--

"But we all beholding as in a mirror 
the glory of the LORD, are being 
transformed into HIS likeness with 
ever-increasing glory!" 

that is, line by line, little by little.

Friendship with CHRIST is the essential 

thing in cultivating godly character. 

Not only is HE our teacher--

it is not enough that HE shall set 

the lessons for us; but HE brings 

down the divine life and imparts it to us. 

John lay upon the MASTER'S bosom, 

and in this close friendship he grew into 

the MASTER'S likeness. It is thus that we 

all must live, if we would get the beauty 

of CHRIST upon our lives. We never shall 

grow like HIM if we stay habitually far 

away from HIM.

If a Christian lives distant from CHRIST, he 

soon grows earthly and loses the spiritual 

loveliness out of his life. But if he abides 

near his MASTER, in adoring love, 

in close companionship--

then the glory of CHRIST enters 

his life and transforms him. 

Looking at CHRIST, intently, with devout, 

reverent heart, beholding HIM not merely 

in a brief glance now and then, but continuously--

the brightness of that blessed face prints 

itself upon his life!

Those who look intently at the face of CHRIST. . .
  entering into the spirit of HIS life,
  walking in daily fellowship with HIM,
  bearing HIS cross,
  loving HIM and doing HIS will--
take HIS image upon their own lives, 

grow like HIM, until neighbors and friends 
begin to see the resemblance and say, 
"Why, they are like JESUS CHRIST!"

   
~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's superb article, 
"The Face of the Master".