Maybe it is time to accept that it is all in receiving (lambano). With that comes the righteousness, gloriousness of the absolute Grace that has been extended onto us ... shed abroad from before the foundation of the earth.
We are changed
2 Corinthians 3:18 says that we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The very moment we receive like a child, not beholding and forever considering the tree we once ate form, this tree-of-the-knowledge-of-good-and-evil (the law), but instead beholding the tree of life, His Grace only ... the vail is taken away so that we can see that we are miraculously transformed.
From glory to Glory!
From a previous state that could not last into a state of everlasting Glory in the Beloved Son of God, we are transformed (changed) into the very image of Jesus. We look into a mirror (glass), Him (the Perfect Law of Liberty) and see ourselves! We see our original design and purpose! Oh, glory!
From a previous state that could not last into a state of everlasting Glory in the Beloved Son of God, we are transformed (changed) into the very image of Jesus. We look into a mirror (glass), Him (the Perfect Law of Liberty) and see ourselves! We see our original design and purpose! Oh, glory!
Transformation?
The Greek word used for transformed or change here, is metamorphoō and it means to obtain form, to take on another form.
It is to take on the original form, our original design we had even before creation was. Jesus manifested to His own to remind us of of this position.
The word metamorphoō is used in this context on only four occasions in the whole of the Bible;
The opposite state of metamorphoō is to have no form.
The word for no form is analogous to the Greek word hamartia, roughly translated in our Bibles as sin (also meaning to be without a share, to miss the mark, to be mistaken, to wander from the path, etc.).
The origin of the word hamartia comes from the root Greek word meros that means part, assignment, destiny, allotment. Adding the prefix ha to the word meros turns the word into the negative form. Thus, hameros or hamartia means to loose your original form or to be without part.
The Greek word used for transformed or change here, is metamorphoō and it means to obtain form, to take on another form.
It is to take on the original form, our original design we had even before creation was. Jesus manifested to His own to remind us of of this position.
The word metamorphoō is used in this context on only four occasions in the whole of the Bible;
- twice in the gospels when Jesus was transformed on the mount of transfiguration,
- once here in 2 Cor 3:18 to explain our glorious position looking into our perfect Mirror; and
- once when Paul admonished in Romans 12:2 that we should not conform to this world but rather be transformed (metamorphoō) by the renewing of our minds.
The opposite state of metamorphoō is to have no form.
The word for no form is analogous to the Greek word hamartia, roughly translated in our Bibles as sin (also meaning to be without a share, to miss the mark, to be mistaken, to wander from the path, etc.).
The origin of the word hamartia comes from the root Greek word meros that means part, assignment, destiny, allotment. Adding the prefix ha to the word meros turns the word into the negative form. Thus, hameros or hamartia means to loose your original form or to be without part.
But the Good News is ...
Yet, the Lamb of God, taketh away the sin [formlessness and hamartia] of the world. Joh 1:29
Isaiah 53:2 describes Jesus on the cross, taking on our formlessness, as that he hath no form nor comeliness; ... no beauty that we should desire him.
In the beautiful exchange (metamorphoō) on the cross He took on our form(lessness) to enable us to take on His perfect form to stand before God without blemish, without fault, speck or wrinkle ... rather flawless - just per our original design.
Our part?
In all this we had no part. And the only part we could ever have, is to receive.
In the beautiful exchange (metamorphoō) on the cross He took on our form(lessness) to enable us to take on His perfect form to stand before God without blemish, without fault, speck or wrinkle ... rather flawless - just per our original design.
Our part?
In all this we had no part. And the only part we could ever have, is to receive.
Paul says it beautifully. Behold!
How do I do that?
Behold - look attentively!
The thing about Grace is that you can add nothing to it. As soon as you do, it becomes something else. Adding to it even gives it another name, because it then is no longer free and becomes attained through work. Grace is God's unmerited favour. It is given freely. It can in no ways be earned. It is an absolute free gift of which the receiver has and never will have any contribution. All he does ... is receive!
lambanō
The Greek word for receive is lambanō, the most wonderful word with a wonderful word-picture. It depicts to open ones' hands, to take hold, to pull the Gift real close, to embrace It, to seize It and not let go. To attain and make your own!
Paul so eloquently elaborates on this:
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Co 2:9 - 16All we do is receive!
That is our part.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name Joh 1:12
When we receive we are transformed (metamorphoō) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2
We are transformed!
Just receive.