Unveiled Faces
Date: July 31, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Gracious Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, open my heart to understand its truth. Help me see Your glory unveiled and experience the transformation You desire for me. Fill me with Your Spirit, guiding me to become more like You each day. May Your presence shine through my life, bringing You glory and blessing those around me. Amen.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The apostle Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians to address various challenges faced by the church. In this verse, Paul compares the old covenant with the new covenant in Christ, emphasizing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives and the beauty of the new covenant in Christ. Unlike the old covenant, where Moses had to veil his face after encountering God's glory, believers have direct access to God's glory through Jesus. As we contemplate the Lord's glory with unveiled hearts, we are transformed into His image. This process is ongoing and results in ever-increasing glory, all by the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
"Unveiled faces": Represents the direct access believers have to God's glory through Jesus Christ.
"Contemplate the Lord's glory": Refers to meditating on God's character, attributes, and the revelation of His love and grace through Christ.
"Being transformed into His image": Illustrates the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ in character and conduct.
"Ever-increasing glory": Describes the continuous growth and spiritual development of believers, as they reflect more of God's glory in their lives.
S - Summarize and Share:
What a beautiful reminder of the transformation God works in our lives through the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us that we have the incredible privilege of gazing upon the Lord's glory with unveiled faces.
In the Old Testament, we read about the extraordinary encounters Moses had with God on Mount Sinai. Whenever Moses came down from the mountain after speaking with God, his face would shine with a radiant glow, reflecting the divine encounter he had experienced. However, the Israelites were afraid of this overwhelming glory, and so Moses would cover his face with a veil to shield them from the full intensity of God's presence (Exodus 34:29-35).
This veil represented the separation between God and His people under the old covenant. The people couldn't approach God directly, and Moses' veiled face symbolized the distance and inability of sinful humanity to stand in God's full presence.
Fast forward to the new covenant in Christ, and everything changes. Through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, we have been reconciled with God. We no longer need a mediator like Moses because Jesus became the ultimate Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). The veil in the temple was torn in two at Jesus' crucifixion, signifying that the way to God was now open to all who believe in Jesus (Matthew 27:51).
No more barriers, no more veils, but a direct, intimate connection with the Creator of the universe. As we think about God's glory, we start to understand His character, His love, and His grace in a deeper way.
And here's the best part: as we witness His glory, something incredible happens. We begin to change – from the inside out. It's like looking into a mirror and seeing our reflection gradually becoming more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit, at work within us, brings about this amazing transformation.
Each day, with every step we take, we become more like Christ, showing His love, compassion, and grace to those around us. It's a journey of ever-increasing glory – a journey that never ends. We may stumble, we may face challenges, but the Spirit is with us, guiding and empowering us to grow in Christlikeness.
Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, allowing His glory to shape us and shine through us. Let's keep seeking Him in prayer, worship, and through His Word. In doing so, we'll experience the joy of becoming more like our Savior and, in turn, bring glory to God. Let's embrace this transforming journey, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Bible Cross References:
Romans 8:29 - "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."
1 John 3:2 - "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Colossians 3:10 - "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."