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“And we all, 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.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says that “are being transformed into his [Christ’s] image” while Romans 8:29 states that God “predestined [all believers] to be conformed to the image of his Son.” But transformation does not happen automatically or miraculously. If you want to change, you will have to challenge yourself. Two of the most challenging hurdles to transformation may well be honesty and transparency.
They may sound like two sides of the same coin, but transparency is different. Transparent people are real in the sense they do not mask what is going on inside. In Matthew 16:13-20 we read Peter’s declaration about Jesus. Jesus pins Peter down and says “who do you say I am?” Jesus made it personal to Peter. He has to decide just like every person has to make the same determination for themselves. Peter’s answer found in verse 16 is “…you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
In the remainder of Matthew 16 Jesus tells them what is in front of Him. He doesn’t try to hide what is about to happen or to sugar coat it or make it palpable for them. He tells it to them straight. Jesus is transparent about what He is about to face. He is preparing them for what is to come.
In the same way we should be transparent in our lives. I have learned that when I am transparent with people, both about my past, and about what I am struggling with in the present, it releases the power of God to encourage them. In the same way others have encouraged me. It is encouraging because when God does something about my situations, and in the situations of others, it demonstrates the fact that God is working in our lives. When we are not transparent, we potentially weaken God’s ability to work within us in a powerful way.
Jesus shared with the disciples what He was facing and the fact that He could face it and that He was willing to walk forward into such a situation showing a faith and dependence on God that had never been seen before. It was and still is powerful.
Discussion Questions:
- What is a “transparent” Christian to you?
- Why is becoming transparent difficult?
- What can you do this week to be transparent about yourself with others?