2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Change is a scary thing, I get it. A new job, a new city, and an overseas posting, oh yes, I get it, change can be scary. Just how scary does it sound to have someone in your face saying, “You’ve got to change!” Not just jobs, friends, or neighborhoods, but you need to change your identity.

I never had that happen to me. I did it to myself. I was disgusted with myself, but not everyone feels that way. They feel secure with their identity, and may have worked very hard on developing that image. Then someone comes along and says a graven image is one created by self-effort and God says you shall have no graven images before Him.

If you are rather pleased with yourself, you would reject that opinion. OK, I understand, but isn’t self-pleasing pride? Is pride a word you identify with? Some do. If you think I am about to slam a particular type of pride, forget it. The issue isn’t about the identity in pride, it is that identity is declared and defined by others. It isn’t even who you are as a person.

People tend to focus on the word image in today’s opening verse, because it is the easiest observation point. The real focus of that verse is glory that changes, from glory to glory. Now I was much better looking as an eighteen year old. My wife has pictures of me then and now. What isn’t seen, what isn’t obvious, is how much more glorious I am now.

Glory is the essence of God. Glory is not the outward and seeming but the inward and real. It is who I am in the most personal and inner parts of me. It is who I am and not an image that fades in time. It gets stronger, better, bolder and more humble.

Ephesians 3:16-19 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Excuse me if I do not quote any bible verses today.

We all know what a dictionary is used for, right? First it is a reference source. We refer to it to settle confusion as to meaning. We even have English to Spanish dictionaries in order to better understand what someone in another language is saying.

Dictionaries change over time. New words and definitions are added as needed to expand the references as those words are used in common speech. Use a new word that is made up and gain enough usage, it will be added to the dictionary. Some words have been so misused and abused even the alternate pronunciations are added. It is now acceptable to pronounce ask, axe.

God does not change, his meanings do not change, but our language does. So how are we to know what God meant when he said it, if man keeps changing the meanings of words? We cannot all be Hebrew, Chaldean, Greek, Latin and Aramaic scholars. Others have, many others over the years have done exactly that. Surprise, surprise, they do not always agree.

So what do we do with the unchangeable God, whose mind, will and intentions are sovereign, immutable, and everlasting? How do we know?

I start with my point of reference. My understanding comes from common use within the framework of the life I have lived. Being from Maine it did not take me long to realize that when I was stationed in Georgia that speech is not the same everywhere. Clarity of understanding had to come through a commitment of relationship. You have to care enough to put in the time and allow a deeper understanding come from a personal relationship.

How committed are you with your personal relationship with God?

How do you treat others that are not as committed as you?

How do you treat those who are more committed than you?

Depends on your relationship, doesn’t it!