(17) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18) But we all, with open face beholding as 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.
What a sweet thought is here suggested to the Church, in the divine presence, and the freedom he brings with him. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Yes! When the child of God, from the Adam-nature of sin and Satan, by regeneration, is brought into the liberty wherewith the Lord makes his people free; then they are free indeed, John 8:36. They then have access to the throne, at all times, upon all occasions. Having received the Spirit of adoption, they cry Abba, Father! And the Spirit beareth witness with their spirits, that they are children of God, Romans 8:16. They are freed from the burden of sin, from the guilt of sin, from the penalty due to sin, from the dominion of sin; and from all the terrors; and everlasting condemnation of sin. God's law is magnified, and made honorable in Christ. Justice is satisfied. The accusations of Satan are answered. Conscience is appeased; and the believer, having passed from death unto life, hath now found peace with God, in the blood of the cross: for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Blessed be God! where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! Reader! let us seek grace, to learn our blessedness, from this work of God the Spirit, and to bring it into actual enjoyment, from day to day. How fully doth it prove, our oneness with Christ, and our interest in Christ. How ought it to bear us up, against every temptation, every sorrow, trial, and affliction! And what a security against sickness, death, judgment, and all the fears of futurity. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! Oh! the freedom to a throne of grace now; and the assurance of access, and every privilege of the redeemed, to a throne of glory forever! At that day ye shall know, that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you! John 14:21. Oh! the blessedness, through the Spirit, and the blood, and righteousness of the Lord Jesus, to go every day, and all the day, to a throne of grace now, and to a throne of glory forevermore!
I detain the Reader, just to observe, the beauty and blessedness which the Apostle closeth the Chapter with, in relation to Christ. Beholding as in a glass, (or speculum), the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image. Yes! when God the Spirit enables the child of God to behold Christ, this begets an assimilation: similar to the effect in looking to a glass, the one is formed by the other. So by beholding Jesus in his glory, admiring his Person, having our souls ravished with his love, we are led to imitate what we love: and, through the Spirit of the Lord, we grow up into a desire to be like him, to resemble what we love, and to imitate what we admire. Precious Jesus! be it my portion, to behold thy face in righteousness, that when I awake up, I may be satisfied with thy likeness, Psalms 17:15.