since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. but their minds were hardened. for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. yes, to this day whenever moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. and we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. [2 corinthians 3:12–18]
“when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed…”
“beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed…”
there is something about seeing the Lord, being in his presence, that is transformative. it changes us. this can bring a whole bunch of different internal reactions. maybe, you don’t want to change. you don’t want to give up your selfishness, bigotry, or power. maybe, you’re ashamed of those things. or maybe, you worry that you just won’t be yourself anymore – you’ll lose your uniqueness. maybe, you don’t believe you could ever change. there are lots of reasons we turn from the presence of the Lord.
what transformation is happening?
we are being restored in the image of God. recreated to reflect the glory of God to the world and each other in the way we were originally created. the broken edges of sin are being chiseled off. the wounds we bear from the sin of others are being bound and healed. our God-given spiritual gifts and talents are being refined and amplified. all so that we might magnify the glory of the Lord even more.
the presence of the Lord will change us. but, it will transform us “from one degree of glory to another!” i would encourage you to spend time today thinking about why you don’t want to encounter his presence. why you would resist his transformative glory? lay those things down and turn to the Lord, the one who has removed the veil, and the one whose glory surpasses everything else!
~ keith kozlowski