God's Transforming Grace

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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 3:17-18 NKJ)

Before retirement, expert luthier & archetier, Étienne Vatelot repaired the instruments and bows of the world's master musicians. International soloists such as David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Mistlav Rostropovitch, Yo-Yo Ma, Ivry Gitlis, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maxim Vengerov, Boris Belkin and many other musicians were some of Vatelot's clients.

When interviewed at his retirement, Vatelot said, "Musicians must realize that instead of purchasing an old, supposedly valuable Italian instrument—maybe broken or needing repairs—it is better to buy a very good contemporary instrument. I am convinced that if an old instrument was bad, it will be bad three centuries afterwards. On the other hand, if it was a masterpiece and was kept in good conditions, it will still be a perfect violin. It is the same with contemporary violin making; if the instrument is bad, it will not become better with time. If it is good, it will improve with time."

People of faith know that Vatelot's illustration can be applied to our Christian walk. It all depends on how we start out. If we accept and believe erroneous teaching that is never repaired by the Truth, our lives and beliefs will always be false. If we believe the Bible, accepting its good conditions, we will always walk in perfect Truth. And, over time, we will improve in God's grace. 

There is difference between sentient beings and Vatelot's stringed instruments. According to Vatelot the instrument must start out as "a masterpiece" and be kept in good condition. But God works differently with human beings. He starts with a damaged instrument, continuously repairing and restoring it, and over time through the good conditions of his grace the instrument becomes the masterpiece the Master always intended it to be.

It is no great feat for a master musician to play a masterpiece instrument. But when the Master takes up a "bad" instrument and remakes it into a masterpiece instrument, that is something truly marvelous to behold.

Dear Father, thank you for remaking me through Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. Empower me to continually yield myself to his transforming grace. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

 Be strong and courageous today yielding to God's transforming grace,