March 2021 Memory Verse

And we all [the body of Christ], who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-2 Corinthians 3:18

These words suggest that God’s work in our lives is an ongoing process and with the continual help of the Spirit, we will arrive at our goal—to be like Jesus. So, don’t be swayed to give up at any point during this difficult journey; keep looking to Jesus and trusting that the Holy Spirit is constantly creating in us a new heart.

Pastor Su Kim suggested another Scripture verse that uses a similar word that means the same thing: “…And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:2-3). Su explained that the word Paul uses for “transformed” is the same word as “transfigured.” So, we ARE being transformed to be like Jesus, in all His glory!

Another translation of our March memory verse—from the German Gute Nachricht Bibel (Good News Bible)—says: “But we all stand before God with our faces uncovered and reflect His glory. The Lord changes us through His Spirit so that we become more and more like Him and get more and more part in His glory.”

Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so we can immerse ourselves in God day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year—through ever more intensive study of Jesus, of God’s character, and the glory of His Being. The Spirit wants to change us, to transform us. Will we let Him? Are we willing to keep growing to reflect Jesus more and more? What is the goal of this transformation? In the first two verses of 2 Corinthians 4, Paul offers us guidance:

So because of God’s mercy, we have work to do. He has given it to us. And we don’t give up. Instead, we have given up doing secret and shameful things. We don’t twist God’s word. In fact, we do just the opposite. We present the truth plainly. In the sight of God, we make our appeal to everyone’s sense of what is right and wrong. – 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NIRV).

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for the times when we have let our faith grow complacent, when we allow all the distractions in our lives and in the world to control us, and when we have lost our focus on You, Jesus. Please, Holy Spirit, guide and bless us as we try to be more intentional in our plans, especially in nurturing our faith and our spiritual development. Please make us more like Jesus each day, in whose Name we pray. Amen.

by Maria Karl, Biblical Counselor