ODJ: no ordinary people
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 (v.18).
READ: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
In the book The Weight of Glory, C. S. Lewis makes a stunning claim about humanity. “There are no ordinary people,” Lewis writes. “You have never talked to a mere mortal.” Whoa! Now that’s a welcome thought—especially for those of us who at times feel ordinary at best. Could it really be true that we possess a hidden greatness?
We only have to turn the opening pages of the Bible to discover that human beings are anything but ordinary. The first chapter of Genesis tells us that human beings are the only part of God’s creation who have the distinct honor of being created in His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27).
Francis Schaeffer, a contemporary of C. S. Lewis, said, “There is no more important revelation given about man than that he bears the image of God.” As God’s “offspring” (Acts 17:28), we’re marked by the glorious image of the Creator of the universe. While it’s true that we’re born with sin in our hearts and that we’ve fallen short of reflecting God’s glory (Romans 3:23), there are still traces of God’s glory and dignity in every one of us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way, “Man is God in ruins.” Like the ancient ruins of the world that still awe and inspire tourists each year, a remnant of dignity can be seen. It’s true of every person you meet, and each one can be transformed by God’s grace.
Part of the glory of the new covenant in Jesus is that God desires and intends to restore us. The New Testament tells us that those who have turned to Jesus and live by His Spirit are “being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).
Take a moment and let that soak in. It’s an amazing truth that frees us to live boldly for Him (v.12). —Jeff Olson
How does it affect you to realize you’re made in God’s image? What transforming work has God been doing in your life?
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Loading ...ODB: time for a change
February 2, 2010
READ: Luke 7:37-49
This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner. —Luke 7:39
A friend once told me, “In my lifetime I’ve seen a lot of things change, and I’ve been against them all!” Perhaps he overstated the point, but many of us would agree that we don’t like change—especially if it involves altering our habits and attitudes.
That’s one reason Jesus was so unpopular among the Pharisees. He challenged their long-established system of good works and self-righteous living. Consider the incident when the town “sinner” entered the home of the town “saint” in Luke 7. Simon the Pharisee wasn’t impressed with the woman’s lavish display of affection for Jesus. Reading Simon’s self-righteous thoughts, Jesus immediately challenged his flawed perception of his own goodness by telling the story of two debtors—one who owed much to his master and one who owed less. “Which of them will love him more?” Jesus asked (v.42). Obviously, the one who had been forgiven more. Speaking to Simon’s I-feel-pretty-good-about-myself attitude, Jesus said, “to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (v.47).
The challenge is clear. Lulled into thinking how good we are, our love for Jesus wanes because we have forgotten that we too are among the ones “forgiven much.” And when that happens, ready or not, it’s time for a change! — Joe Stowell
When God starts changing things, He usually begins with changing us.
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