The Transformation into His Likeness
Scripture Passage
Beloved:
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.
Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
Grace Prayed For
Grace to awaken to the light within: Pray for the grace to recognize the divine spark within you, the seed of glory planted in your soul. Ask for the sensitivity to perceive God’s presence and activity in your life.
Reflection
This passage in Isaiah, shimmering with the promise of restoration and light, whispers a profound truth about our own glorification. It’s not merely about a city of stone and mortar, but about the living temple within each of us, destined for glory.
“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” This is a call to awaken to the divine spark within, the seed of glory planted in our souls. It’s an invitation to shed the shadows of our past, the doubts and fears that dim our inner radiance, and rise to meet the light of God’s love.
“See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.” The world may be shrouded in darkness, but within us, the light of Christ shines ever brighter. This is the beginning of our glorification, the gradual transformation into His likeness, as His glory illuminates our being.
“Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” As we allow the light of Christ to shine through us, we become beacons of hope, drawing others to the source of our radiance. This is our participation in the glorification of God, as we reflect His glory to the world.
“Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow.” This speaks of the joy and fulfillment that come with embracing our true identity as children of God. It’s a glimpse of the future glory that awaits us, when we will be fully united with Him in love and joy.
“For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.” This signifies the abundance of grace and blessings that God pours out on those who seek Him. It’s a foretaste of the eternal riches that await us in His kingdom, where we will share in His glory.
“Caravans of camels shall fill you…bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.” This symbolizes the offering of our lives, our talents, and our love to God. It’s our participation in the eternal worship of the Lamb, where we will join the chorus of praise and adoration.
This passage in Isaiah is a love letter from God, reminding us of our glorious destiny. It’s an invitation to embrace the light within, to let it shine brightly, and to journey towards the fullness of glory that awaits us in His presence. It’s a reminder that our glorification is not just a future event, but a process that begins now, as we surrender to His love and allow Him to transform us into His image.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
Receiving His Abundance: “Your heart shall throb and overflow.” This speaks of the boundless grace and love that Jesus pours out on us. By opening our hearts to receive His gifts, allowing ourselves to be filled with His love, we enter into a deeper communion with Him.
Daily Scripture Reflection
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post