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?