Scripture Reading(s)
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
3:12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness,
3:13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside.
3:14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside.
3:15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds;
3:16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
3:18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
4:1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
4:2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.
Reflections
Have you ever taken a before and after picture of something that was once old an was turned into something new? When we first renovated our backyard and built a deck, the before and after was like night and day. What was once a backyard filled with unkept grass, a big huge tree, and a bee hive that had made its home there was now replaced with a beautiful wooden deck, with a patio set and planted seeds were beginning to burst out beautiful flowers.
When Christ enters into our hearts and eradicates sin from our lives we begin to see our lives with new eyes and a clearer focus. We begin to let go of our old desires and habits and instead strive to live out a life that is Christ-like and reflects Him. The Holy Spirit then resides in our hearts by the Spirits leading we begin to be transformed into something that reflects God and points back to Him. I think chapter 4:2 drives this very message home “We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.” We are no longer characterized or shaped by our past sinful lives but instead aim to speak the truth of the Gospel of Christ in our hearts, with our lips, actions and deeds. We are now a beautiful picture that represents God’s love on display.
Paul’s revelation that he shares with the Corinthians is an important one. As mentioned in yesterday’s devotional post, the same God who’s glory made Moses’ face shine placed His Spirit inside of us. Paul describes this idea by stating that we Christians see the Lord even more clear because we now have the veil removed.
When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (2 Corinthians 3:16)
This idea is important because we are the living reflection of God’s Glory. However, our behavior sometimes sends a very different message. It is important for us to walk in the Spirit so that we can accurately represent the Lord while we are here in this earth.