We’ve talked so far about seeing God’s glory as a means to change. We first need to state that no one here on earth can see God directly and live (see Exodus 33:18-23). God dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). Only Jesus has seen the Father directly (John 6:46).

But we may still see a measure of God’s glory in this life. Before we look any more at the specific ways we can behold God’s glory, we first need to ask, “Does the Bible teach that beholding the glory of God produces personal change?” Let’s see what Scripture says.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared: but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:2

Beholding God is a means of becoming like God. But is this the only place Scripture teaches this? What does God say through Paul?

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

We also see this in the gospels when Jesus changed water into wine. Jesus’ disciples saw what he did. What effect did it have on them?

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2:11

Jesus’ disciples believed in Him when they saw his glory. We know that miracles do not coerce faith. Someone can see a miracle and harden his or her heart. Nevertheless, seeing God’s glory in a miracle like the disciples did when Jesus turned water into wine can be a powerful means of growing in faith.

And who can forget Isaiah’s commission from the Lord?

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train[a] of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people…”

Isaiah 6:1-9

We see this kind of encounter with Jacob, Job, Peter, and many others. It was often a pivotal moment in their lives. Seeing God’s glory is a powerful way to become like Christ. It undergirds all other means of personal change. Let us pray and strive to behold God’s glory!

For personal reflection:

• How are you currently seeking to behold the glory of God?
• What practices can you take up to see His glory more clearly?
• Is there anything in your life that obscures your view of God’s glory? Any sin you are unwilling to give up? See Isaiah 59:1-2

Tags: faith, glory, God, gospels, Isaiah, John, means of grace, Paul, personal change, Sanctification, seeing, spiritual disciplines