Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 49

February 18;    2 Corinthians 3:18;    49/260(II);    ‘Reflecting His Glory’

2 Corinthians 3:18 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 by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Old Testament Jews were blinded, as with a veil, by the Law.  Believing their relationship with the Lord was based on what they did, as opposed to God’s love for them and acceptance of them as they looked to the Messiah who was to come.  Religion will enslave a person as they endeavor to keep all that is written.  The religious Jewish leaders then began to add their own regulations for the Jewish people to keep as well as the Law.  The religious leaders became prideful as they carefully performed the list of things that were written.  Meanwhile, their hearts were hard and these leaders disdainfully looked down on everyone else.  Romans and Galatians clearly teach that the Lord gave us the Law to show us that we could not keep and do what the Law required.  The Law was to show us our desperate need for Jesus, who was the only One who could and did keep the Law.  When we become a Christian, understanding the gospel message of what Jesus did for us, that ‘veil’ of religion, the Lord never intended us to have, is removed.  God’s Word was created to be a mirror.  As we read the Word, He intended us to see the glory of Jesus.  The glory of Jesus means His excellence, magnificence, dignity, majesty and perfection.  The intent of God the Father, since we are made in the image of the Lord, was that Jesus would become our pattern as we learn of Him in the Word.  The love of God, the fruit of the Spirit and the Holy Spirit inside of us helps  us, if we so desire, to become more like Jesus daily.  The Lord Jesus’ ministry changed everything around Him.  We are to reflect Him and do the same.