Things are about to get crazy…at work that is. There are just so many moving parts with planning, customer face-2-face meetings, budget discussions, test planning, and 1600 other things. Last night before Marianne and I went to bed, we prayed for all of the work craziness; how it affects me, our family, and asking the Lord for patience, perseverance, and wisdom as we wait on His instruction or movement of His hand to force what is next. I love the work that I do, I just wish it was in a better managed organization.
16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 [ESV]
It was really hard for me not to power on into this set of verses yesterday but the verses from yesterday had their own goodness and depth. I love passages that start out with BUT…! Remember yesterday we were talking about the veil that hides the eyes of one seeing the splendor of the Old or New Covenants; well now we get to see what it takes to remove that veil…
…when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
2 Corinthians 3:16
Turning to the Lord is usually not a 20′ or even 90-degree turn; nope, it’s almost always a 180-degree turn. It takes turning away from one’s sin and to the open arms of the Father in brokenness and repentance (repentance is always a 180-degree turn).
This next verse is such a good one and even provides the lyrics to one of the songs we sing at church -> “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” How amazingly beautiful is that??!! I read somewhere that the waterfall of God’s blessings and grace do not stand still. You must be searching and discovering where the Lord is and what He is doing to stand in this waterfall of blessing. This blessing, grace, and peace is what I see this ‘freedom’ being, wherever the Spirit of the Lord is.
Paul goes on to say that we with our unveiled faces, we are being transformed from one degree of glory to another when we behold the glory of the Lord. You can also reflect the glory of the Lord when you become more like His Son in your actions and deeds but here Paul is talking about an internal transformation into His likeness. This is not an overnight or immediate transformation; this is a transformation that happens over time as we (with unveiled minds; are able to absorb the knowledge of the truth) gaze on the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Finally, “For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” The Spirit’s activity is the major characteristic of the new covenant, and our transformation is wholly attributable to the work of the Spirit of the Lord in our lives.
Application:
- Have I removed the veil from my face through confession, brokenness, and repentance?
- Am I seeking to be where the Spirit of the Lord is? (psst – the Spirit of the Lord is in every genuine believer who has surrendered their life to the King)
- Am I being transformed by the knowledge of the truth (sanctification) as I gaze upon the glory of the Lord with my unveiled face?
- Do I fully grasp that I am indeed free in Christ; that even though I have business leaders, local/state/federal government, and a culture that is always looking for a way to cancel me…I am free in the Kingdom of Christ…an everlasting Kingdom that measured up against this life, makes this life seem so insignificant.
My goal is to glorify God in all that I do; that while I gaze (unveiled) upon His perfect knowledge in Truth, I can reflect His glory through my behavior, actions, and attitude.