Written by Guest Blogger Rocky Chambers
1 Cor 13:12 - For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
This world is full of smoke and illusion. Like Paul writes, we see through a glass darkly. While this world seems painfully real it is only a manifestation of the world that truly lies beneath, the spiritual world. Everything has a spiritual root.
From time to time we get a glimpse into this real world beneath. We see it in an act of kindness, a gesture of peace, a sacrament of love, an act of faith, or in hoping against hope. Still, we see darkly. Our vision is clouded. Our view obscured. By what? By the darkness of our own minds.
We sometimes pride ourselves in the fact that we at least are a good person. I didn’t commit this sin or that sin. While perhaps you are better than others, there is always somebody better than you. And if we examine ourselves closely enough we will find a word spoken in hate, a grumbling that led to strife or a doubt that blossomed into the sin of worry! Yes, worry is a sin, doesn’t the scripture tell us not to worry! Doesn’t Jesus Himself express this when He says, ‘why do you give thought to what you will wear, what you will eat, do not worry for your Father in heaven knows you need these things!’
What we often view as sin, adultery, murder, theft, and so on, are really the manifestations of sin. They are the dark fruit of evil seed that has matured and given birth to death. The scripture says do not covet, but what is at the root of your coveting? Why do you desire to have what somebody else has? What is the seed of this sin? Is it jealousy? Is it fear? Is it doubt?
But love conquers all. But too often we try to manufacture love rather than allow God to grow it. But I get ahead too much.
The darkness of our minds leads us astray. This darkness is a cloud of dark thoughts, wrong thoughts, lies we believe and hold on to. When we see the fruit of these dark thoughts as evil then we are faced with the choice of seeking to weed our garden on our own, or seeking the help of God. This is the moment when we can come face to face. We know in part, but we do not know fully until He reveals us to our self! THEN I shall know as I am fully known!
The only power the enemy truly has is the corruption of faith hope and love. Every sin has at it’s root this corruption. And as Jesus reveals to us the truth, the darkness we have fallen into, we suddenly see clearly.
Everyone has had at least one of these moments. They may not admit it was God who opened their eyes, but it was. You can call it an epiphany, an inspiration, an ‘a-ha’ moment when the light went on. It is a moment when the smudge on that dark glass was cleared for a moment for you to see through, to see clearly.
We can rub on that glass ourselves and only smudge it up more. Or we can call on Christ to clean it for us. It may take effort on our part. Effort in prayer, effort in listening, effort in studying the scriptures, effort in waiting patiently. But we are promised if we will seek we will find. Most importantly, keep looking in that mirror. It may be dark and you may not see yourself as well as you think you do. But if you gaze steadily into it with the help of Christ…you will see face to face and you will know even as you are known. The mark of a saint is not in his good deeds. Nor is it found in his goodness. It is found in his determination to look into that glass to see face to face.
Don’t allow the illusions of this darkened world divert you but rather pierce the darkness with the help of the Lord. Let Him teach you who you really are. Only then can you be light to others. But be warned, many will see your light as darkness because they do not see what you see.
Gaze into the dark glass and you will find yourself gazing upon Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He longs to show you who you really are, that you are worthwhile to Him. Enough so that He would give Himself for you. As you see that, it will change you, transform you.
Often God is seen as a potter, and we are the clay. This is how He molds us, forms us, into an image He has in His own heart. That is the you He wants you to know, it’s the one He knows.
I think, no I know, that is why John often referred to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. He saw himself in God’s eyes. Yeah, now isn't that a beautiful thought…to see yourself in the reflection, the mirror of God's eyes. Face to face, to know as I am known.
Hat Tip:
Rocky Chambers via email.
Thank you so much Rocky! This is beautifully stated!