Transformed
"The cross is the doorway through which every member of humanity can enter into the life of God. Through the resurrection, our Lord has the right to give eternal life to all. By the ascension, our Lord enters heaven and keeps the door open for humanity.”
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest - May 17
Jesus lived His entire public ministry with the power of the Holy Spirit but, as Chambers points out, there were two distinct phases divided by the mount of transfiguration where the glory of the Lord was released and He had fellowship with God the Father, Moses (Law), and Elijah (prophets). We need these supernatural encounters with God to elevate to a new level in our spiritual lives. Living in this fallen world is spiritually and physically draining. We need our daily times of seeking God and finding comfort and direction from His Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. But then the Lord will occasionally orchestrate special experiences whereby we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and given special revelation to enable us to go to the next level. We don't insist that we have these special experiences before we will go further but we simply yield and linger when the Lord sovereignly orchestrates them.
The cross, the resurrection, and the ascension were all essential for fallen humanity to be reconciled to God and Jesus was made ready beforehand by supernatural preparation. Peter used his witness of the transfiguration many years later as evidence against those who claimed that the gospel was a merely a fable, a made up story. "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory (impartation) when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18
So shall the Elect be given all we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3). May the Lord strengthen and equip us today that we might bring glory to Him in everything we do.
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest - May 17
Jesus lived His entire public ministry with the power of the Holy Spirit but, as Chambers points out, there were two distinct phases divided by the mount of transfiguration where the glory of the Lord was released and He had fellowship with God the Father, Moses (Law), and Elijah (prophets). We need these supernatural encounters with God to elevate to a new level in our spiritual lives. Living in this fallen world is spiritually and physically draining. We need our daily times of seeking God and finding comfort and direction from His Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. But then the Lord will occasionally orchestrate special experiences whereby we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and given special revelation to enable us to go to the next level. We don't insist that we have these special experiences before we will go further but we simply yield and linger when the Lord sovereignly orchestrates them.
The cross, the resurrection, and the ascension were all essential for fallen humanity to be reconciled to God and Jesus was made ready beforehand by supernatural preparation. Peter used his witness of the transfiguration many years later as evidence against those who claimed that the gospel was a merely a fable, a made up story. "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory (impartation) when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18
So shall the Elect be given all we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3). May the Lord strengthen and equip us today that we might bring glory to Him in everything we do.