Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person 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 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 from the Lord, the Spirit.
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
The great mystery for Christians is...why so many people seem unmoved by the claims of Christ and unconvinced of the authority of sacred scriptures. Paul addresses this question in today's passage.
We can follow the history of God working with mankind all the way back to Moses and discover things haven't changed. There is something that blocks the ability to trust, and believe, the testimony of God. Paul called it a veil. Whatever we might call it, it is something that inhibits our ability to communion with God.
Let's just call it sin...
Sin fractured our spiritual DNA, as originally fashioned by God, so we no longer have the ability to respond to God with pure hearts. When that happened, all of us born after the fact were born with this fractured DNA...separated from God. We have become naturally skeptical. We question everything that doesn't fit our personal sense of logic. We have, in fact, traded places with God. We have become the arbiters of truth rather than God. Paul says until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. In other words, if we are having difficulty comprehending God's Word and following Him faithfully, it's because we have not allowed Christ to remove that veil of sin.
We all have unbelieving friends. Our prayer for them should be simple: "Lord, please remove the veil of sin so my friend can recognize your son clearly and accept Him" When we make it any more complicated than that...we make it confusing.
Remember when Paul said our lives are letters? Here's a question: Does you letter incline others to move toward Christ...or away from Him?
Live boldly out there today...
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