Look and Live: The Transforming Power of Beholding Christ

One of the most profound truths of the Christian life is this: we become like what we behold. This principle, simple yet life-changing, lies at the heart of discipleship, sanctification, and revival. The apostle Paul expressed it clearly:

“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 by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV).

True transformation, Paul says, does not come first from striving, but from beholding. The question, then, is this: Who or what are we beholding?

In a world full of distractions and distorted images of success, beauty, and power, God invites us to fix our gaze on Jesus—the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It is in looking to Him, and especially to His love revealed at the cross, that we find the power to surrender, follow, and abide in Him.

Beholding the Love of Christ

Ellen White offers this powerful counsel:

“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit” (The Desire of Ages, p. 83).

Why is beholding so vital? Because love awakens love. Our cold, selfish hearts are softened as we meditate on His patience, compassion, and sacrifice. At Calvary we see the immeasurable cost of sin, and at the same time, the immeasurable worth we have in God’s eyes.

Jesus Himself promised, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). The cross has a drawing power no argument can match and no force can compel. It is this attraction that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

When we behold Jesus—His humility in becoming man, His compassion for sinners, His victory over temptation, His silence before His accusers, His suffering in Gethsemane, and His death on the cross—our hearts cannot remain the same.

Beholding Leads to Surrender

Surrender is one of the hardest words in the Christian vocabulary. To deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24) sounds like a heavy burden. Many try to surrender by sheer willpower, only to fall into frustration or despair.

But here is the liberating truth: surrender becomes possible—and even joyful—when it flows from love.

We cannot surrender fully to someone we do not trust or love. But when we see the One who loved us unto death, who gave everything for our salvation, surrender ceases to be a burden and becomes the natural response of the heart.

Ellen White explains this dynamic beautifully:

“The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan’s control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God” (The Desire of Ages, p. 466).

Surrender is not self-generated; it is Spirit-empowered. And it is love that motivates us to yield. Love makes obedience more than duty—it makes it delight.

Surrender Leads to Abiding

Yet surrender is not a one-time event. It is the doorway into a daily walk with Christ, what Jesus described as abiding:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).

Abiding means staying connected to Jesus as our source of life. Just as the branch cannot survive apart from the vine, we cannot produce fruit apart from Him. Surrender clears the way for Christ to dwell in us through the Spirit, and abiding keeps that connection alive.

Notice the sequence:

1. Beholding → leads to love.

2. Love → leads to surrender.

3. Surrender → leads to abiding.

4. Abiding → leads to fruitfulness.

5. Fruitfulness → brings others to Jesus!

This is the rhythm of discipleship. What begins with the eye fixed on Jesus ends with a life that reflects Jesus.

Practical Steps: How to Behold and Abide

So how can we live this out daily? Here are some practical applications:

1. Spend time daily at the cross. Read the Gospels slowly. Imagine the scenes. Reflect on His motives and love. Journaling a verse or insight can deepen the impact.

2. Pray relationally, not just transactionally. Instead of only asking God for things, spend time praising Him for who He is, thanking Him for His love, and opening your heart honestly.

3. Practice surrender one choice at a time. Each morning, pray: “Lord, I give You my plans, my desires, my time, and myself. Live through me today.” Then practice yielding in daily decisions.

4. Stay connected through Scripture promises. Carry a verse with you (John 15:5, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 1:6, etc.) and repeat it during the day as a reminder of His presence.

5. Reflect Christ’s love to others. Abiding naturally leads to fruit. Look for opportunities each day to show patience, kindness, and compassion, even in small ways.

A Closing Appeal

The Christian life is not about trying harder but about looking longer. If our eyes are fixed on ourselves, we will grow discouraged. If they are fixed on the world, we will grow cold. But if they are fixed on Jesus, we will grow into His likeness.

As Adventists, we believe the great need of the church today is not more programs or strategies, but more of Christ. True revival and reformation begin when the church beholds the Lamb of God with fresh eyes.

Today, God invites us to lift our gaze to Jesus again. To behold Him until our hearts burn with love, until surrender is our joy, and until abiding in Him becomes our daily experience. And one day soon, the One we now behold by faith we will behold by sight, face to face, forever.