Looking or Gazing

I've always enjoyed the radio ministry of J. Vernon McGee and his Thru the Bible Radio broadcasts. He's been "home" for some time now but his voice is still around around the world.


J. Vernon McGee

The other morning I heard him say something that "stuck" in my mind. I immediately called my mentor/friend Paul Collet and shared it with him.

McGee said, "The look saves but the gaze sanctifies."

Maybe his quote is self-explanatory but let me expound on it for a moment. His premise (and I agree) is that when we look to Christ as our Savior, Substitute, Sacrifice and Sin-Bearer we receive His salvation and are forgiven and made new creatures in Christ. Following our salvation, we become more like Him, more conformed to His image, more set apart or sanctified as we lovingly gaze on Him in worship, praise and adoration. The longer we gaze, the more like Him we become.

Some take passing glimpes at Jesus, others look and live and there are some (all too few) who gaze upon Him in all His glory.

So, what will it be? Glimpse, Look or Gaze?

Rise, my soul, behold 'tis Jesus!
Jesus fills thy wondering eyes;
See Him there, in glory seated,
Where thy sins no more can rise!

Gazing on the Lord in glory,
While our hearts in worship bow;
There we read the wondrous story
Of the cross, its shame and woe.

P. Ritter, 1760-1846

Check out the Thru The Bible Radio web site and read more about J. Vernon McGee at http://www.thruthebible.org