Beholding Is Becoming: The Transformative Power of Gazing on Christ
Ezekiel 17-18; Ephesians 1; Proverbs 22
Today, I come bearing only good news! The Gospel of Jesus is purely good news for those being saved. Let’s focus on Jesus today. His face shines like the sun at its full strength. Just look at Him! If we truly see the glory of this Gospel we proclaim, our lives will begin to shine, and, just like Christ, our faces will radiate God’s glory.
Ephesians 1:
1 Dear friends,
My name is Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus, the Messiah. I’m writing to all the devoted believers who have been made holy by being one with Jesus, the Anointed One.
We are made holy by being one with Jesus.
Full stop.
We aren’t made holy by how many hours we pray or how many days we fast. We aren’t made holy by standing, shouting, or laying prostrate. These may be outward signs of inward devotion, but it’s not genuflecting that sanctifies us. We are made holy through union with the Son who is holy.
Praise God! Hallelujah. This truly is good news!
Our new life invites us into His finished work. We are not called to the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament. No! Jesus has fulfilled the Law. In fact, Jesus has become our sacrifice, if only we accept Him.
John 17:
19 “And now I dedicate myself to them as a holy sacrifice so they will live fully dedicated to God and be made holy by your truth.”
You don’t have to spend a minute in that old system. You are invited to relate to the One who has met the system’s requirements. You are now seated with Him in heavenly places. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Him.
Don’t think about yourself. Don’t waste time considering your response. Look at Jesus.
I remember when I was younger, starting to date. There was a boy I liked. After hours of talking, he began to look at me, and the more he did, the more self-conscious I became. I wasn’t thinking about him at all. I was thinking about how I was perceived, constantly adjusting, trying to pose just right.
The point is, I wasn’t thinking about him; I was focused on myself. Even in our pursuit of Christ, as we worship, we can become preoccupied with ourselves. But the key to freedom, to union, is to be consumed with the other Person in the relationship.
Ephesians 1:3 “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because He sees us wrapped into Christ.”
Our Father sees us wrapped up in the life of His Son. What a thought!
Ephesians 1: 11 “Through our union with Christ, we too have been claimed by God as His own inheritance. Before we were even born, He gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in His heart.”
We are God’s inheritance. He knows us. He loves us. He’s looking at us. May we dedicate the rest of our lives to looking back at Him. Behold Him. Behold Him!
Psalm 24:
7 “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—He is the King of glory.”
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Reflecting on Holiness: How does understanding that we are made holy through our union with Jesus change your perspective on personal holiness? Consider the difference between outward signs of devotion and the true sanctification that comes from being one with Christ.
- The Good News of the Gospel: What does the phrase “The Gospel of Jesus is purely good news for those being saved” mean to you personally? Reflect on moments when the Gospel felt like truly good news in your life.
- Beholding Jesus: Spend time meditating on the image of Jesus’ face shining like the sun in full strength. What emotions or thoughts does this image evoke in you? How does “looking upon Jesus” influence your daily life and decisions?
- Your Spiritual Inheritance: Ephesians 1:11 speaks of us being God’s own inheritance through our union with Christ. What does it mean to you to be considered God’s inheritance? How does this identity influence your sense of purpose and destiny?
- Responding to God’s Love: Reflect on the invitation to be fully dedicated to God, made holy by His truth. How can you respond to this invitation in your daily life? Are there areas in your life where you need to let go of self-consciousness and focus more on God’s presence and will?
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