The Spirit is the Lord of those who believe in Jesus (17-18). Lord, in the original Greek, has the equivalent meaning of the Hebrew word Adonai. (Exodus 3:14) The meaning of both is the “Supreme and Almighty Master”. Abraham called God, “Adonai Elohim”. “Elohim,” meaning “Almighty God,” is the name for God in Genesis 1:1. The Spirit is, therefore, the Supreme Master Almighty God.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (17b) The Spirit is within those who accept Jesus as Messiah and call on his name. Our Lord the Spirit freed us from our old master, which was the laws and stipulations of the Old Covenant. They ruled over us through death and sin (7). The old master has no power over me. I have a new Master, the Spirit, and he is life everlasting (11b).
The Lord, my master, is transforming me into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. I am like the moon or a mirror reflecting light. I reflect the surpassing glory of the Lord (10), who is the Spirit. My transformation is not physical. My transformation is spiritual. My transformation is not by my power or will. My transformation comes from the Holy Spirit. We see and experience the glory now through the moving of the Spirit.
Remember Apostle Peter’s words in the days of persecution upon us and ever-increasing, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)
