A Very Unscientific Hypothesis

Oh Glory!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:13:00 -0700

Have you ever been in one of those situations where the Holy Spirit gives you a scripture—specifically, a verse that you’ve heard a million times? Have you ever received one of those verses but now in a context totally different than what you’ve always heard? That happened to me today. I was listening to a conversation that my wife was having and this verse came to mind:

“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 from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB

This is a verse I’ve heard a million times. It is more-often-than-not explained, very vaguely, that God takes us from one level to another. But in what sense these levels are is often unknown, and is usually in whatever sense that fits the personal and often selfish agenda of the person giving the sermon. But Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, was talking about something very specific.

Paul is telling the Corinthian Christians, which was made up of Jews and Gentiles, that they are ministers and servants of the New Covenant (v.6) through Jesus, not the Old Covenant that was through Moses.

Paul explains that even though the Old Covenant, which he called the Ministry of Condemnation (v.9), was glorious (or excellent), the New Covenant has much more glory (excellence)!

We need to understand that the Old Covenant was based entirely on works. If we sinned, we could only be seen as righteous before God by doing and God would only bless us AFTER a sacrifice was made. And this is totally impractical. What if we forget to confess a sin? What if we sin and we don’t realize we sin? This is why Paul calls it the ministry of condemnation, because we are condemned unless we take action. But the New Covenant is GRACE, by faith in Christ Jesus. That’s it! When Jesus said “it is finished” on the cross He was serious! He accomplished all that was needed for us to be seen as righteous before God. All we need to do is have faith.

So what was Paul saying? Even though we often start our walk with God being taught rules and regulations, God wants to take us beyond that, from one glory (the Old Covenant) to another glory (the New Covenant).

God wants us to grow, to progress, and that comes not from doing, doing doing, but by turning to Jesus (v. 16). And when we turn to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will transform us (v.18). This is the freedom that is found in Christ (v.17).

Oh Glory! As we turn to Jesus and get to know Him, by His Word, we are transformed into His same image! This is not by actions, but by the grace of God.

This is the Gospel. The good news that we are made righteous by the finished work of Jesus Christ.

- Malachi

(EDIT: the introduction to be easier to read.)

Afterlife @mElguera REMIX - SwitchfootOn talenthouse.com

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:51:00 -0700

Afterlife @mElguera REMIX - Switchfoot
On talenthouse.com

elgueracreative: My attempt to get Symphony to do fishy lips...

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:32:39 -0800

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

elgueracreative:

My attempt to get Symphony to do fishy lips for daddy. Super cute!

Official Preview Launch Party

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:32:02 -0800

Still trying to understand the idea behind “preview services” & “official launches”.
When I invite someone to my house I don’t bring them over for a “test” visit. I don’t launch my family into my guests. I feed them and have fun with them and share life with them.

I don’t have a point, this is just a rant.

- Malachi

My princess. 👑 (Taken with instagram)

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:05:51 -0800

My princess. 👑 (Taken with instagram)

Your Love is a Song - Switchfoot Recorded on our couch, with our...

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:14:02 -0700

Your Love is a Song - Switchfoot

Recorded on our couch, with our MacBook. Simplicity.

Me - Acoustic Guitar & Lead Vox
Melissa - BG Vox

"If you’re more concerned about being politically correct than being real, you’re..."

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:55:58 -0700

“If you’re more concerned about being politically correct than being real, you’re probably not too concerned about being Christ-like.”

- Malachi

"Humble pie isn’t the tastiest, but it’s the most nutritious."

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:09:03 -0700

“Humble pie isn’t the tastiest, but it’s the most nutritious.”

- Malachi

Video

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:28:02 -0700

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

melissaelguera: So exciting! We had our first real FaceTime...

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:06:02 -0700

melissaelguera:

So exciting! We had our first real FaceTime with my bro & nieces. So nice to see their faces.

Symphony on Flickr.New photos on Flickr of Symphony at 3 months...

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:54:09 -0700

Symphony on Flickr.

New photos on Flickr of Symphony at 3 months old.

"We are all worms. But I do believe that I am a glow-worm."

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:52:02 -0700

“We are all worms. But I do believe that I am a glow-worm.”

- Winston Churchill

"A full spank-bank makes a bankrupt soul."

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:05:06 -0700

“A full spank-bank makes a bankrupt soul.”

- Malachi

Video

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:10:04 -0700

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

Kaimal Mark II Lens, AO BW Film, No Flash, Taken with...

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:58:02 -0700

Kaimal Mark II Lens, AO BW Film, No Flash, Taken with Hipstamatic

"It’s sad that people strive so hard to be known, when they should really only strive to be..."

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:27:06 -0700

“It’s sad that people strive so hard to be known, when they should really only strive to be known by God.”

- Malachi

GQ

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 14:55:46 -0700

Video

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 02:26:02 -0700

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

Brand New RR. Sexy!

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:20:21 -0700

Brand New RR. Sexy!

therockcvworship: This is the newest song at The Rock CV. We...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:29:26 -0700

therockcvworship:

This is the newest song at The Rock CV. We introduced this song Wed PM 6/8/11.

Recorded by Hillsong Youth for a Summer Project, this song was only released in a small quantity. It has never been available for sale in the US or on iTunes so you will only be able to get it here!

This is a great song lyrically and it is pushing the boundaries, musically, of everything we’ve ever performed at The Rock. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

You Will Never Leave Me - Hillsong Youth
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

- Malachi Elguera
@melguera