By Beholding We Are Changed

How does real spiritual change happen?

Many Christians have prayed, “Lord, please change me.” We may want victory over resentment, selfishness, fear, pride, impatience, or some other weakness of character. We may make decisions, set goals, and try harder. Yet deep heart change is not something human willpower can produce by itself.

In this sermon from Fannin County Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Rusu opened 2 Corinthians 3:18 and explained how God changes the heart. The answer is found in beholding Jesus.

Paul writes:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The Battle Begins in the Mind

The sermon began with the reminder that the battle for salvation begins in the mind.

Our thoughts affect our emotions. Our thoughts and emotions influence our actions. Over time, our thoughts, emotions, and actions shape our character.

This matters because character is central to the Christian life. We are not saved by our character. We are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. But God is also working to restore His image in us.

The Christian life is not merely about outward behavior. It is about being changed from the inside out.

We Need to Be Changed

Every sincere believer knows the need for change.

We see things in ourselves that should not be there:

• Resentment
• Pride
• Selfishness
• Fear
• Impatience
• Unforgiveness
• Worldly desires
• Lack of love
• Weak faith

So we pray, “Lord, change me.”

That prayer is good. It reveals that the Holy Spirit is already working in the heart. A person who no longer desires change is in spiritual danger. But the person who longs to be changed is responding to the call of God.

Only the Holy Spirit Can Change the Heart

Pastor Rusu connected this sermon with the subject of being born again.

Jesus told Nicodemus that the work of the Spirit is like the wind. We cannot see the wind itself, but we can see and feel its effects.

In the same way, we cannot fully explain how the Holy Spirit changes a heart, but we can see the results. A person begins to desire God. A person becomes aware of sin. A person longs for holiness. A person begins to love what God loves and turn away from what dishonors Him.

This is not merely psychological improvement. It is not simply self-discipline. It is the miracle of grace.

With Unveiled Face

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul says that we behold the glory of the Lord “with unveiled face.”

This points back to Moses. After Moses spent time with God on the mountain, his face reflected the glory of God. The people could not look at him, so he placed a veil over his face.

But Paul says that now we behold with unveiled face.

Through Jesus Christ, we are invited to look directly at the glory of God revealed in the Savior. We do not merely look at symbols. We look to Christ Himself.

What Does It Mean to Behold?

One of the key points in the sermon was the meaning of the word “behold.”

To behold is more than to glance.

It means to look with intention. It means to look with attention. It means to contemplate, to focus, to keep the mind fixed upon something important.

Spiritually, beholding means that we direct the attention of the heart and mind toward Jesus.

We consider:

• His life
• His words
• His love
• His purity
• His humility
• His sacrifice
• His compassion
• His suffering
• His victory
• His ministry for us now

To behold Jesus is to let the mind dwell on Him.

The Glory of the Lord

The next question is: what is the glory of the Lord?

The sermon pointed to John 1, where the Bible says that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and “we beheld His glory.”

The glory of God is revealed in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Word made flesh. He is the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. In Him, we see the character of God.

If we want to behold the glory of the Lord, we must look at Jesus.

We behold God’s glory when we meditate on Christ’s life, His teachings, His compassion, His obedience, His cross, and His love for sinners.

The Key to Transformation

Paul says that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into the same image from glory to glory.

This gives us a key to spiritual growth.

We are changed by beholding.

We do not become like Jesus by merely trying harder to improve ourselves. We become like Jesus as we spend time looking to Him, contemplating Him, trusting Him, and surrendering to Him.

This does not remove effort from the Christian life. But it puts effort in the right place.

Instead of focusing constantly on ourselves, we focus on Christ.

Why Focusing on Sin Is Not Enough

The sermon made a very practical point: sometimes the more we focus on overcoming a sin, the stronger the temptation seems to become.

When our attention is fixed on the thing we are trying not to do, the mind keeps returning to it.

This is why true victory requires a shift of focus.

We must look away from self and look to Jesus.

The miracle happens when Jesus becomes more important to us than the sin. As the heart is filled with Him, the power of sin begins to lose its hold.

Victory comes not merely by staring at the weakness, but by beholding the Savior.

What the Heart Is Really Seeking

Pastor Rusu also reflected on how people often seek outward things because they believe those things will fill inward needs.

Some think money will bring peace. Others think health, friendship, success, security, or comfort will finally satisfy the heart.

But what people really desire is often something deeper:

• Peace
• Joy
• Love
• Comfort
• Safety
• Assurance
• Meaning
• Contentment

These are the very things Jesus promises to give.

The world tells us to fix the outside in order to feel whole inside. Jesus offers to fill the inside with His presence, even when the outside circumstances are difficult.

The Kingdom Within

Jesus said that the kingdom of God is within you.

This means that when we have Christ, we have what the soul needs most.

External blessings may come or go. Health may change. Finances may change. Circumstances may change. People may disappoint us. Trials may remain.

But Jesus can give peace even in sickness. He can give joy even in persecution. He can give assurance even in uncertainty. He can give contentment even when life feels incomplete.

Christ Himself becomes the treasure of the heart.

Looking Away From Self

One of the strongest appeals of the sermon was to take the focus away from ourselves.

We often focus on:

• Our problems
• Our failures
• Our frustrations
• Our needs
• Our sins
• Our disappointments
• Our fears
• Our lack

But Scripture calls us to behold Jesus.

When we look to Him, the heart begins to change. When we contemplate His grace, His love becomes more real. When we think about His sacrifice, our pride is humbled. When we see His compassion, our resentment softens. When we behold His purity, we desire holiness.

By beholding, we are changed.

Why This Message Matters Today

This message matters because many Christians are tired of trying to change themselves.

They have made resolutions. They have promised to do better. They have tried to overcome habits through willpower. They have focused on their failures until they felt discouraged.

But Jesus offers a better way.

He calls us to Himself.

The Christian life is not self-improvement with religious language. It is transformation by the Spirit of God as we behold the glory of Christ.

Practical Application

Here are several ways to respond to this message:

• Spend intentional time each day beholding Jesus.
• Read the Gospels slowly and prayerfully.
• Meditate on the closing scenes of Christ’s life.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus more clearly.
• When tempted, turn your mind toward Christ.
• Do not make self the center of your spiritual life.
• Let Jesus fill the inward needs of your heart.
• Pray, “Lord, help me behold You today.”
• Ask God to change your thoughts, emotions, actions, and character.
• Trust that transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit.

A Call to Behold Jesus

The invitation of this message is simple and powerful:

Look to Jesus.

Not casually. Not occasionally. Not only during trouble.

Behold Him.

Contemplate Him. Spend time with Him. Let His life fill your imagination. Let His sacrifice humble your heart. Let His love become the atmosphere of your soul.

As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into His image from glory to glory.

Closing Appeal

Let us ask God to turn our eyes away from self and fix them on Jesus.

May the Holy Spirit help us behold Christ more clearly.

May His love fill our hearts, His peace calm our fears, His joy strengthen our souls, and His character be reproduced in us.

Short Prayer

Lord Jesus, we want to be changed, but we know we cannot change ourselves. Help us behold Your glory. Turn our eyes away from self and fix our hearts on You. Fill us with Your love, peace, joy, and assurance. Transform us by Your Holy Spirit from glory to glory until Your character is reflected in our lives. In Your name, amen.

Discussion Questions

• What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 teach about spiritual transformation?
• Why is the mind so important in the Christian life?
• What does it mean to behold Jesus?
• How is the glory of God revealed in Christ?
• Why can focusing only on sin make temptation feel stronger?
• What inward needs do people often try to fill with outward things?
• How can Jesus give peace even when circumstances do not change?
• What practical habit could help you behold Christ more each day?