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The Fundamentals (verse 14). Or, as stated in Romans 11:25, “blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Hence, they do not behold there Him of whom the Scriptures testify. But, for us who believe, the veil is done away in Christ, and consequently, all we beholding are trans- figured into the same image by the Divine and irresistible operation of the Holy Spirit. If, when we look into the Word of God, we do not see Christ there, we look to no purpose, for He is everywhere in the Book. Let it be carefully noted that this transformation is not the work of the man who beholds Christ in the Word; for the process is carried on while the former is not occupied with himself at all, or with his transformation, but is absorbed in the contemplation of the glory of the Lord. The transforma- tion is effected by the power of the Spirit of God; and we may learn from this passage the important lesson that occu- pation with, and concern about, the work of the Spirit in us can only hinder that work. Let it suffice us that He Who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Christ. (Phil. 1:6.) Our part, and it should be also our delight, is to be continually beholding or contemplating the glory of the Lord; and while so doing we “are changed” into the same image, and all the faster if we are unconscious of ourselves. Let it be also noted that the transformation is a gradual operation, calling for steadfastness in contemplating the Object placed before us by the Holy Spirit. Little by little, as our gaze is fixed upon Him, the old traits and dispositions which are unlike Him are replaced by His own characteristics. Thus the work proceeds “from glory to glory.” The conformation to His image, which is God’s purpose for all the sons of God (Rom. 8:29), is not accomplished, as some would have it, by an instantaneous transfiguration, a convulsive upheaval and displacement of the old nature, brought about by working one’s
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