God's Holy Fire: 'Metamorphosis'

Friday, January 19, 2024

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away [a veil like the metaphorical veil that kept the Jews from understanding the old covenant]. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
— 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT

Key Thought

A caterpillar changes into a butterfly — the process of metamorphosis. This type of transformation is the word image painted for us in this message from Scripture: "...as we are changed into his [Jesus'] glorious image." While we are ordinary humans, with ordinary human powers and ordinary human lives, we can become extraordinary because of the work of the Spirit. While we are limited to our natural abilities — however well we may have developed them, we are given the freedom to overcome our natural limitations and failures by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to transform us to be more and more like Jesus. And how does this transformation happen? It happens supernaturally, by the power of the Holy Spirit as we both contemplate and reflect the glory of Jesus.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for giving me the supernatural ability to become more and more like Jesus. O Holy Spirit, please take control and conform me to the character and compassion of Jesus as I commit to knowing him and displaying his life to those around me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT — And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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