I have been thinking for several days about the meaning of 2Cor.3:18, which says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” Paul is, of course, talking about the transforming effect of beholding Jesus by faith (the context of v.14-17 makes this clear). It appears to me that before this transformative look occurs, there is already the first degree of glory present. I am reminded of God’s declared purpose in making our race at the beginning: “Let us make humanity in our likeness…” (Gen.1:26). Likeness. Reflection. We were made to mirror the majesty of God, to image forth His glory–not as rivals, but as advertisers of the One whom we were created to resemble.

I have yet to meet a member of the human race who completely failed to reflect the glory of God at some level; I am likewise yet to meet a human being who reflected that majesty perfectly. This, then, is the first degree of glory: our innate capacity to remind other people of our glorious Maker.

If we are born in the image of God, what further glory could we possibly be transformed into? I said earlier that none of us reflects the glorious image of God perfectly–none of us, except Jesus! “When we see Him, we shall be made like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn.3:2). Seeing Jesus begins a process which ends in our resembling Him (who resembles the Father) perfectly. Notice the participial nature of the verb, “being transformed.” This indicates a process which moves toward completion over time.

I hope the application for evangelism is clear. We speak to people admiringly, drawing attention to their glorious likenesses to our God. Then we say to them, “God has a glorious plan to perfect His likeness in you! I know that you already have an instinct to draw attention to yourself–an understanding that you are worth knowing and admiring. This is because you were made to be noticed as signs by the road are noticed. You were made to point people to God. Would you like Him to begin a work in you by which the glory which is already yours in part would be brought to perfection?”

Galatians 6:9, Part Two: “…for in due season we shall reap…”

I have a need to be motivated by a vision. No aim in life leads to a listless existence. And the best aims in life are those which we are most passionate about. All labor is for the sake of something significant. Working for a paycheck can be motivating if my financial aspirations will be moved forward in receiving it. But working will be much more engaging for me if the work itself is accomplishing something I believe in. What, then, is the motivation for not ceasing to do the good works which we have been entrusted with doing? Here we are told that it is a season of harvest.

Think with me about the analogy of sowing, watering, waiting and finally harvesting. The goal–the telos–of every other activity is realized in the harvest. Jesus’s parable of the soils gauges the life of that which is sown in terms of harvest. Our willingness to invest in people is completely necessary. Would I still give if I knew that nobody would be transformed? I would, if I have the heart of God.

The vision that motivates me is of ministering to the lives of some who respond to the kindness of God by coming to repentance. As God’s grace dawns upon their hearts and the sacrifice of Jesus takes over the center of their joys, moving them to become worshipers of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light… I would be satisfied with my labor. So I am called to perseverance through all the seasons of labor, knowing that the harvest is sure.