In this verse, James brings out a very important point. True believers in Christ know that works cannot save anyone, as Paul says in Gal. 2:16: “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Every one that is saved has been made a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). As a result, the old way of life should be disappearing more and more and we should be becoming more and more like our Savior.

When an earthbound caterpillar is changed into a butterfly, there ought to be some evidence of change. Things it could not do before, it can do now. An obvious example is that it now has a set of wings that enable it to fly. It is also more beautiful than it was before.

As a Christian, you have also been given a set of spiritual wings, as it were, to be able to escape the constant downward pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Romans 6:14 confirms this: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

God has given in His Word many promises that can help us live a new life – with new power over sin, Satan, and self. II Peter 1:4 tells us: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

When the believer uses those promises and gets victory over sin and the world, God is pleased. He sees the image of His Son in you and it is a beautiful sight to Him and He can bless you for it.

What are the things that God wants to see in you? First, He wants to see the fruit of the Spirit in you Galatians 5:22, 23). Second, He wants to see the “fruit of righteousness” in you (James 3:18). Third, God has “chosen” and “ordained” each believer to bring forth the fruit of souls to Him (John 15:16).

Now that you are a “new creature” – is God pleased with your new fruit and works? Or, are you claiming “faith” but have no works to prove it?

The Bible tells us that it is God’s will that every believer be like His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Even though we can become like Him to some degree on our own (kindness, patience, gentleness, etc.), it is impossible to become fully like Him in the way God’s desires without His help.

The good news is that God never intended us to do it alone. God gave us two things to accomplish this in our lives: the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. They work together to conform us to the image (likeness) of Christ.

The verse for today says that we behold “as in a glass the glory of the Lord.” The word “glass” refers to a mirror. It means that we do not yet see Him personally, but as we see Him in the Word, we are seeing Him in an accurate reflection.

The verse then says that the more we look at Him in the Word, the more we are changed to become like Him. This change is the work of His doing in us. It is one strong reason why each believer needs to be in the Bible every day.

The changes occur a little at a time – “from glory to glory.” They take place by the “Spirit of the Lord.” The first change takes place at salvation when He comes to live within the heart of the new believer. He then makes you a “new creature” in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).

Other changes take place as you read the Bible, listen to it taught and preached, and read and study the Bible for yourself. The changes take place by His transforming power even faster when you deliberately seek to obey the principles you read about as you read the Word.

Christian, are you letting the Holy Spirit have His way with you – or are you resisting what He is trying to do in your life?

In the context of this verse, Jesus was talking to a mixed group of people – some were His sheep and some were not. Because many of them present would have thought that they were God’s people – but were not, Jesus drew a clear line so that they could know who really are His (God’s) “sheep” and who are not.

The verse says that those who are His sheep hear His voice. His voice, of course, is the message He speaks. Today, it is the Word of God.

Following this thought, Jesus gave another important phrase to help identify those who belong to Him. He said: “they follow me.” There is a conjunction in between – the word “and.” They hear “and” they follow. They do not hear only.

Sadly, many professing Christians do little more than hear the Word. They might hear the Word in Church, on TV, the Internet, or radio – or read it. If they are not following Him (obeying Him and spending time with Him) in the Word and prayer – then there is a phrase in between these two clauses that they need to think about – “and I know them.”

Does the Lord Jesus really know you? When did this relationship begin? Remember that Jesus said that there were many who would do “wonderful works” (Mt. 7:22,23). But Jesus will testify to them one day: “I never knew you!” They never had a new birth.

Personal knowledge of Christ and His salvation is the bottom line. Have you really been saved at some point in your life? There is a vast difference between being a church-goer and having prayed a prayer – and being saved. Are you really a new creature in Christ; or do the old ways of your sinful life still cling to you?

The above verse makes it clear that when someone gets truly saved that there is going to be some changes in their life. The Bible also declares that you can tell a tree by its fruit – and you can tell a Christian by their changed lifestyle. Although they will never be perfect this side of Heaven, some of the changes will be manifest quickly.

Getting saved means repenting of past sin. This does not mean that you must give up a particular sin and get polished before coming to Christ for salvation. Instead, be willing to come to Him and let Him do the changing in your life. Admit (confess) that your sin is against God and you need His forgiveness and salvation. You will find that He is quite able to make you a “new creature.”

With God’s help, believers should hate sin, but it will still tempt you at times. He knows how to deliver you out of every temptation, and He invites you to come to Him when tempted: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Many people that were once deep in sin got saved and then discovered that those sins they struggled so long with were no longer a problem. The sins were removed and they gloriously were changed. The only explanation is that God made the change because they could not.

Once saved, asking God for help quickly before you sin is the key to victory. It is also a way to see God’s power strengthen you. How God can change lives – your life – can become personally evident when you ask Him often for victory. He is faithful to help His children when they ask Him for it. Have you called lately and had the victory that God wants you to have?