We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the
Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. (2
Corinthians 3:18)
The word 'beholding' is a strong word; it is not
just taking a look, it is 'fixing our gaze.' That is what the New Testament
means by beholding, behold. We all, fixing our gaze upon Christ, as He mirrors
in His own Person the glory of God, the satisfaction of God, the mind of God
in perfection. The point is that you and I must contemplate the Lord Jesus in
spirit, and be much occupied with Him. We must have our Holy of Holies where
we retire with Him. We must have a secret place where we spend time with Him.
And not only in certain special seasons, but we must seek, as we move about,
ever to keep Him before us. Looking at the Lord Jesus, contemplating Him, we
shall be changed into the same image. The Holy Spirit will operate upon our
occupation.
You become like that which obsesses you, which occupies you. Is that not
true? You see what people are occupied with, and you can see their character
changing by their obsessions. They are becoming like the thing which is
obsessing them; they are changing; they are becoming different. Something has
got a grip on them; they can never think about anything else, talk about
anything else; and it is changing their character. Now Paul said, "For me to
live is Christ – being occupied with Him." It is the wrong word to use, but
nevertheless it would be a good thing if He became our "obsession," our
continuous occupation. As we steadfastly fix our gaze upon Him, the Spirit
changes us into the same image.