Transformed to Reflect God's Glory to the World - Carla D Burnette

Butterflies. What delicate creatures of beauty that reflect God’s creative brilliance. But they don’t begin as graceful and beautiful creatures. Instead, butterflies start life as ugly caterpillars. To become beautiful butterflies, caterpillars undergo a transformation process, where their bodies are transformed into beauty to reflect God’s glory. 

Our Transformation

Comparable to a butterfly, we experience transformation when we commit our lives to Jesus Christ. Our ugly, sin-stained lives are washed and cleansed; we become beautiful, pure and holy vessels set apart to God. However our transformation doesn’t end there, but continues our entire lives as we grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ. We are transformed to reflect God’s glory to the world.

While butterflies draw attention to the Creator of this world, believers draw attention to the Savior of this world. We reflect God’s glory to the world through our actions, words, and behavior, in order for people to see their need for a Savior. If ever there was a time to reflect God’s glory, it is now. People are longing for hope and meaning in this life, and we have the answer – Jesus Christ. The question is: Do people see Jesus in us? Are we living set apart from the world and for God? 

Since we have a lifetime to become more like Christ, it is never too late to make a commitment to live set apart to God.

How We are Transformed

Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit” (CSB).

Jesus Removes the Veil

First, we are described as having “unveiled faces”. To understand what this means, let’s look back a couple verses. According to verse 16, a veil represents ignorance and unbelief, but when a person turns to Christ, “the veil is removed”. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have direct access to the Father and can approach Him with boldness (Hebrews 10:19-20).  

Another reference to a veil is found in Exodus 34:33-35. Here we read of Moses whose face shone after speaking with the Lord face to face. When returning to the people, Moses would cover his face with a veil, because they were afraid of his shining face. May our faces shine with the Lord’s glory after spending time with Him. Let’s not cover up our faces but proudly display the glory of the Lord to those around us.

Gaze Upon God’s Word

Second, we “are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord”. God’s Word is like a mirror that reflects His glory. It’s the Word that teaches us who God is and how to live like Jesus. When we fix our gaze upon God and His Word, then we begin to reflect His glory.

Romans 12:2 tells us to renew our minds with the Word, so we will be transformed knowing God’s will and not be conformed to this world. Instead of following the world’s ways, we follow God’s ways. We take off our former way of living and “put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Third, we are transformed “from glory to glory”. The more we consistently spend time with God and respond in obedience, the more we become like Him. Communing with God and reading His Word cultivates intimacy and trust. Then, out of love for our Lord, we obey by daily submitting to Him and living out His Word. As a result, we are transformed more and more into His likeness through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Strive to Know Jesus

The apostle Paul declares that nothing compares to the “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8). May knowing Jesus be more precious to us than anything in this world, for nothing else can satisfy our souls.

Let’s pursue God with our whole hearts by striving to know Him more and allowing Him to mold and reshape us, so others can see the likeness of Christ in us.

Whenever we see a butterfly, may it remind us that we are transformed to reflect the beauty of a Savior to a world who desperately needs Him.

Father,

Thank You for cleansing our sin-stained lives and setting us apart for You. May we treasure Your Word and time spent with You above all else. We want more and more of You. Help us to see people through Your eyes and remind us of the incredible privilege we have of representing You everywhere we go. We desire to display You to this world that so desperately needs You. May You be glorified in our lives. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions to Consider

1. Can people tell I am a Christian by my words and actions?
2. Do I prioritize time with God and His Word?
3. Am I living out the Word?
4. Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to transform me?
5. What action steps do I need to take to become more like Christ?

Additional Scripture References

I Corinthians 6:11b, “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (CSB).

Colossians 3:9b-10, “you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator” (CSB). 

John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (CSB).