2 Corinthians 3:12-18

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Therefore while having this hope, we conduct ourselves with great boldness and not as Moses was placing a veil upon his face so that the sons of Israel did not stare into the end of that which is being stopped.  But their understanding was being hardened.  For even to this day the same veil remains upon the reading of the Old Covenant – while not being uncovered because in Christ it is being stopped.  But even to today whenever Moses should be read a veil rests upon their hearts.  But whenever someone should turn to the Lord, the veil is removed.  And the Lord is the Spirit; and freedom is where the Spirit of the Lord is.  And we all – our face having been uncovered of the glory of the Lord and while seeing this same image by way of reflection – are being transformed from glory into glory just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I think the opening words of this passage are some of my favorite.  Paul starts us with hope and leads us into bold action.  Here’s the thing.  How many of us connect a bold response to the concept of hope?  Most of us connect a bold response to the concept of assurance.  But that is not what Paul says.  Paul says, “while having this hope.”  We act boldly based on the promises of God, not on the completed action of God.  We do act on promises that He followed through with respect to Christ, but will follow through with respect to us at Christ’s return.  God absolutely raised Christ from the dead.  God allowed Jesus to ascend to His right hand.  We have hope that if God can do that (and more) for Christ, then He can do that (and more) for us, too!  Therefore, because we have this hope we act with great boldness!  We act not because we have already been made eternal or have already been purged from sin or because we have already had all fear cast out from us.  We act boldly because we know God will do these for us as we obediently follow Him and ultimately in the last day when Christ returns!

How bold are you in your life when it comes to God’s work?  When do you happen to be bold?  When do you happen to be timid or shy?

Second Thought:

I love the statement that Paul makes in the middle of these verses.  In Christ, the veil is removed.  I can’t tell you how many times this statement has been true in my life.  I don’t truly understand the things of God until I submit to Christ.  I often have to submit and trust before I really understand.  As human beings, we don’t like that.  But how many times in my life has this been proven true!  When I follow God, I learn to understand God’s ways in the greatest depth as I follow Him, not before I follow Him!  In fact, the description Paul uses for when we required understanding before obedience is “hardness of our heart!”

Are you willing to follow before you have full understanding?  What makes this difficult to do?

Third Thought:

In the end of this passage, Paul reminds us about the transformation that is happening within each of us.  We are being transformed into glory!  But we must not lose sight of the focus.  Our transformation into glory is not what is ultimately important.  What is fundamentally important is that this transformation comes from the Lord.  The Lord transforms us.  We do not transform ourselves.  We do not deserve to be transformed.  But through Christ we are transformed and find ourselves new and fresh with God.

Where do you see this transformation in your life?  Where can you focus on the work that God is doing in you to transform you by uncovering the truth in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6