Knowing God ~ Part 3 of 3

Catch more of Gan TV host Catherine Toon on Perspectives with Catherine Toon.

Editor’s Note: This is the third and final installment in Catherine Toon’s series on Knowing God. (Click here to read Knowing God, Part 1 & Knowing God, Part 2)

Knowing God Produces Effortless Transformation

In my last blog,  we discussed how we can begin to comprehend Christ and how that results in transformation. Let’s dive back in and encounter God!

We Are Being Transformed into the Image of Christ
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (TPT) says:

Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom. We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

What is this veil mentioned here? The veil is the old covenant that made God look like an angry taskmaster (2 Corinthians 3:13 – 18). And, as you noticed, it’s removed by turning to the Lord.

The truth is that whatever we behold we become!

Why is that?

Because what we behold changes how what we perceive, and ultimately, how we think. And whatever we think about, we will ultimately become (Proverbs 23:7a). We are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Quite literally, what’s in our minds becomes our reality.

We’re Growing in Faith

As we look to Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross our faith is stirred (Hebrews 12:2). This is what is meant by “faith comes by hearing.” Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. How many of you have consumed scripture only to find you were really still struggling with your faith?

Let’s be honest!

This is because not just any scripture brings faith. The NLT brings out:

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

It’s the Good News of Christ and His finished work that brings faith. We can live by the faith of the Son of God because He is the Author of it (Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:2). With the Good News of the Gospel, the old covenant veil is stripped away, and we can behold Christ more and more as He really is. It’s in this place that we’re gloriously transformed into the image of Christ from one degree of glory to the next. That is effortless transformation.

We Can Know Our Truest Identity

When we see God rightly, He shows us who we truly are – made in His image and likeness. We see this in Matthew 16 when Peter had the revelation of Jesus as the Christ. Notice this was revealed to Peter by the Spirit of God (Matthew 16:13-17). Jesus was then able to show Peter who He truly was (Matthew 16:18-19). Our true identities are always revealed as we’re able to see and know God rightly.

The Word of God says that as Jesus is so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). You look just like Him right now! And as you behold Him, false identities are stripped away. YOU are unveiled – you manifest as a son/daughter of God (Romans 8:19-21). Knowing God…means knowing you!

I hope this has been a blessing to you!