Let’s look at the three NOWS of 1 Corinthians 12;12, 13: “For NOW we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: NOW we know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. And NOW abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
1. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING RIGHT NOW INTO THE MIRROR OF GOD’S WORD
“NOW we see through a glass darkly.” This speaks of looking into the Word to see Jesus. This may also relate to spiritual truths relating to the future “when that which is perfect is come” (1 Corinthians 13;10). Our knowledge and understanding of the future promised to all believers in Christ is at present obscure. It’s described as looking into a polished brass looking glass (which they used in those days) or reflection in water.
We definitely see things through the eyes of faith as we look into the Scriptures. They reveal to us that we will be resurrected from death and given an incorruptible body and we will be in a place called Heaven where the streets are paved with gold. We read that there will be many mansions for all of the resurrected in Heaven. We read that we will reign with Jesus Christ over all the earth.
Even though we have limited understanding of the hereafter, it does not mean that we should not be looking at Jesus Christ as read the Word and listen to the testimonies of His people. On the contrary, we need to make every effort to look earnestly into the person of Jesus Christ. The more we look at Him NOW, this side of eternity, the more we will be transformed NOW into all the various aspects of who He is in all His glory.
2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with open face beholding in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
1 John 3;2: “Beloved, NOW are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” The greatest and highest pursuit of every Christian should be to live, look, and act like Jesus right NOW.
When He shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. All through our Christian life we should constantly strain our eyes into the looking glass of God’s Word, as well as His people, to behold the image of God revealed in His Son.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:2: “Ye are our epistle (letter) written in our hearts, known and read of all men.” Therefore, as we look into God’s Word, as well as the lives and faces of the “hungry for more of Jesus Christians” we will see more and more of Him. The Spirit of the Lord will take the image of Jesus that we look at and place that same image upon our lives.
Hebrews 9:28: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
I believe that what I am about to say is very important. When the Scripture says that Jesus Christ is appearing the second time to those who look for him, it does not mean that He is only coming to those who are looking for His second coming. He comes to those who are looking right NOW to see His glory. It stands for reason that those who are looking for His return and can’t wait for this great event to happen are those who have already been looking, seeking, and straining to see something more of His glory every day. They look for Christ daily while they patiently wait for the shout of the archangel, the trump of God to sound, and the Lord Himself to descend from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Two more NOWS coming.
Be encouraged. Colin Campbell