Reflecting His Glory

 

⁷ 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, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! ¹⁰ For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

¹² Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³ We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ 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.

—The words of the Apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

 

The passage of Scripture at the beginning of this blog post represents one of the clearest comparisons between the Old Testament Law—the Ten Commandments along with many other instructions found in the first five books of the Old Testament that comprised the Old Covenant between God and man—and the freedom found in the New Testament through the power of the resurrected Christ and the New Covenant.

The rending of the temple veil upon Christ’s death on the cross symbolizes the destruction of any impediment to intimate fellowship that may stand between God and man. We have access to the Father through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have continual fellowship with the Father and the Son through the power of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit.

One of the most wonderful blessings of the New Covenant is the reality that we are never alone. The truth of Immanuel—God with us—comes alive within the depths of our hearts. Christ lives in us. We become one with Him and with the Father. (see John 17:20-25)

Our oneness with God gives us the ability to reflect His glory in everything that we do. We become living testimonies of God’s mercy, grace, and love by reflecting His glorious presence within us. Everything we say and everything we do should reflect the glory God has placed within us because we belong to Him.

A heartfelt expression of this power of the risen Christ finds a voice in this amazing Gospel song:

 

The Unveiled Christ
Words and Music written by Noah B. Herrell (1877-1953) in 1916
A Pastor of the Church of the Nazarene


Once our blessed Christ of beauty
Was veiled off from human view;
But through suffering, death and sorrow
He has rent the veil in two.

Refrain:                                                                                        
O behold the Man of Sorrows,
O behold Him in plain view;
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.

Now He is with God the Father,
Interceding there for you;
For He is the mighty conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.

Refrain:                                                                                        
O behold the Man of Sorrows,
O behold Him in plain view;
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.

Holy angels bow before Him,
Men of earth give praises due;
For He is the well beloved
Since He rent the veil in two.

Refrain:                                                                                        
O behold the Man of Sorrows,
O behold Him in plain view;
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.

Throughout time and endless ages,
Heights and depths of love so true;
He alone can be the Giver
Since He rent the veil in two.

Refrain:                                                                                        
O behold the Man of Sorrows,
O behold Him in plain view;
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.
Lo! He is the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent the veil in two.

 

Tenor soloist Dick Goodwin sings a striking arrangement of this deeply moving Gospel song.¹ Please listen to this partial audio clip of his recording:

 

 

Will you pray with me?

Thank You, God, for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

How we praise You, Precious Father, that You have made us one with You and with Your Son through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. We respond with joy when we realize that we are never alone. We know that Your love surrounds us and keeps us in close fellowship with You.

Please help us to obediently follow the pathway You have laid out before us. Help us to put aside every distraction that would impede our faithful service to You. Grant us an unstoppable flow of Your mercy, grace, and love.

And, thank You for hearing our prayer in and through the precious Name of Your Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

¹ If you enjoyed that song, I would urge you to click on this link to purchase this song or to purchase entire album.

 

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