Tag: 2nd Corinthians 3
Ever-increasing Glory!
Scripture reading for August 1st: 2nd Corinthians 3
Key scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Corinthians 3:15-18 “Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
When the Jews read Moses–the Law of God in the first five books of the Old Testament–a veil covered their hearts. The law can only reveal sin, not cleanse a heart and soul from the guilt of sin and enable man to see God’s glory. But when anyone, Jew or Gentile, turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. The veil sin in the heart hides the soul from beholding God’s glory just as the temple veil shielded sinful man from being exposed to God’s glory and death. The blood of Jesus has cleansed the sinner who believes in Christ and the veil is removed and access given to behold God’s glory. This glory is revealed by the Holy Spirit–the Gift of the Father. It transforms us into God’s image and likeness with ever-increasing glory!
Observations for over-comers: Salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit open the spirit of man to the glory of God. This brings continuous transformation into Christ’s likeness and glory! “Then the Lord said(to Moses), “There is a place near Me where you may stand on a rock. When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove My hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.” (Exodus 33:21-23)
Ever-increasing glory!
Scripture reading for July 31st: 2nd Corinthians 3
Paul was a Pharisee and student of the Jewish Scriptures–our Old Testament. He understood the law and the glory that Moses experienced as he received the Law in the holy Presence of God on the mountain. “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness? For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts.” (2nd Corinthians 3:7-11)
Jesus brought a ‘New Covenant’ that was of greater glory than the Old Covenant! The Law could only show men their sin and provide temporary relief through animal sacrifice. The New Covenant brought forgiveness through Christ’s perfect sacrifice! The Law brought condemnation and death, the Spirit brings justification and life eternal! The Old Covenant was temporary, the New Covenant in Christ is eternal. The Old Covenant required Moses wear a veil to cover the fading glory, the New Covenant removes the veil from all believers in Christ!
“Now where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2nd Corinthians 3:17-18) The glory of Christ in each believer transforms them into His likeness! The glory that they reflect is “ever-increasing!” Believers are growing in glory!