Through a Glass Darkly

Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, For now we see through a glass, darkly. (I Cor. 12:a KJV)

Ouch. What an image. Can’t we see clearly?

Paul spoke to people who had received revelation from God when he said we don't see clearly. Obsessed with self-importance because of their revelation, the people had lost sight of the need to respond to others in love.

As their spiritual mentor and father, Paul tells them understanding is temporary and partial as long we live on earth—and that even revelation from God is partial. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, But when that which is perfect [Jesus] is come, then that which is in part shall be done away . . . For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (I Corinthians 13:9,10,12 KJV).

I think this is a truly humilifying passage. (Okay, so humilifying isn’t a word, but the alternative is humbling and humbling sounds positive in some circles. Humilifying gives a comic, negative image, so I decided to coin it.)

Plainly stated, until Jesus comes again, we will never have a complete understanding of truth.

So much for getting it all together. Our vision will always be inadequate, incomplete. Other translations read: we see in a mirror dimly (NKJV & NAS), see but a poor reflection in a mirror (NIV), or, we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror (NLT). Anyway you say it, our insight is inadequate until Jesus comes again to reveal all things.

This is devastating because the Bible also teaches that we must understand spiritual truth—that revelation from God is vital.

Peter responded to Jesus with, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Mt. 16:17 KJV). Peter, a good Jew who knew Old Testament Scriptures about the coming Messiah, could not recognize the Messiah without a revelation.

When Peter received the revelation, Jesus called him Blessed. But Peter needed more revelation later. (accounts of Peter in Acts)

This might seem obscure to some, but let me share an example from life of how vital it is in daily life. I grew up in a Christian home, knew the Word of God, questioned it as a youth, and came back to it as a young adult. (Regardless of what some who desire to discredit it may say, I believe the Bible is the most accurate of all historical documents, and I didn’t come to that conclusion without research.)

But the truths of the Bible weren’t real in my daily life because I couldn’t experience forgiveness for my Sin. Jesus’ death on the cross almost 2,000 years ago didn’t seem to apply in the present age.

Until one day, after reading a hefty chunk of the New Testament, I knew. Yes, I knew because God said it was so in His Word, but I also knew because I received a revelation as I read the Word. It was a quiet experience. With my oldest daughter in kindergarten and my boys playing outside in the sandbox, I sat at our kitchen table, read, thought, and knew. The Father gave me a revelation and my life changed forever.

Did I doubt it at times? Yes. Often, at first.

After a time it occurred to me that regardless of my doubts, I still wanted to love Him, to serve Him. That hadn’t been the case before the revelation. Something essential had changed within the core of my being—and that became my evidence of the indwelling Presence of God. He’s alive within me.

I can walk away from Him—I have walked away from Him. I can sin—I have sinned. But beneath it all, I don’t doubt God is real. I don’t doubt He forgives my sin.

That was one revelation, over 40 years ago. But revelation continues to come, and there’s the rub. I know I’ve not received a full revelation of His salvation and never will on earth—I see darkly, dimly, obscurely. Troubling as it may be, every revelation is incomplete.

No wonder Paul said, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). It’s not a simple matter of plugging into a set of rules but rather of tuning into God’s voice for revelation, knowing all the while you’ve received only part of the truth.

It’s humilifying.