Dwell in the Word: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Consider these questions as you dwell in 2 Corinthians 3:1-18:

1. Paul contrasts the fading glory of the Old Covenant with the unending glory of the Gospel. How does this comparison impact believers' understanding of the enduring relevance of the Gospel in a changing world? How might this understanding influence their approach to sharing and living out the Gospel in contemporary contexts?

2. The passage mentions the removal of the veil from one's heart when they turn to the Lord. How does this concept of spiritual revelation impact an individual's perception and comprehension of the Gospel? In what ways does this removal of the veil signify a transformation in understanding and belief?

3. Paul speaks of believers being transformed from one degree of glory to another by the Spirit. How does this ongoing transformation align with the Christian journey? How might this concept of continuous transformation encourage believers to pursue spiritual growth and reflect the image of Christ in their lives?

Transcript:

 Here in 2nd Corinthians 3, Paul tells us or reminds us of a story from the Old Testament. You'll remember when Moses was on the mountain, and he was receiving the commands of God. He came down the mountain and his face was glowing. So, they veiled his face. His face was radiating the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God.

And so, they veiled his face because they could not even look upon it. And so, we see here that Paul is using this story. To tell us about the glory of the gospel and how it will never fade You'll notice that he talks about the law that was given to Moses and how that was not Going to be lasting forever the of course god's law the his commands Remain forever, but the system of the old covenant is what he is talking about here the system of sacrifice, the system of, you know, having to wear certain things, eat certain things, uh, participate in certain festivals.

That was fading away. And so, we see here that Paul is talking about this ministry that they have. The story of the gospel is something that is not going to fade away.  And so, Moses, he put a veil over his face. And so, uh, Paul says that this was that, hey, that Israelites can't gaze upon it because his face is so bright, but this was going to fade away.

That outcome was going to come to an end. But then what does he say? He says their minds were hardened, because to this day when they read the Old Covenant, they don't get it. There's a veil over their hearts. They're not seeing how the Old Covenant was pointing to the ministry of Christ, to what he was going to bring in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

They're still looking to the rites and to the rituals of the Old Covenant as if they were the answer within themselves. Well, that veil over their hearts... Keeps them from understanding the gospel, but notice what Paul says in verse 16 when one turns to the Lord, that veil is removed.  That is something that we can understand.

We were dead in our trespasses and sins We wouldn't understand God's Word by ourselves but when the Spirit comes and removes the veil from our hearts. We're able to understand and believe the gospel. And so, what does Paul say here? Hey, this brings freedom and now, with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord.

We're being transformed, so now, to go back to this story about Moses.  Paul is saying, because the glory of the gospel is not going to end because that glory is unending. That is the final answer of how God is coming to his people. We can take the veil off and we can radiate the glory of God everywhere because it is not going to fade away.

But not only that. Paul says that it becomes even more. We're continually being transformed to the image from one degree of glory to another it Continues because this and this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit the Spirit is Continually at work in us transforming us conforming us to the image of Christ And this is something that we continue, no matter what opportunity we have, we can proclaim the gospel because it is not going to fade away.

And so, notice here the distinction that Paul is making between the law and the gospel. The law brings death because it convicts us of sin. It shows us our need. for a savior. But the gospel comes, and the gospel brings a life, a life that does not fade away. And so, while we desire to follow God's law, because it's our path of, of living a holy life before him, we rest in the truth of the gospel.

We radiate the truth of the gospel and the forgiveness of sins that we have.  So, as we think about this passage, may we remember that the gospel is always relevant. The gospel is always something that we can proclaim. As we look into a world that's modern and moving around, the Gospel does not change. It continues to be relevant and be able to be proclaimed and the Spirit continues to work.

So may we be a people that proclaims that Gospel, trusting in the life that it brings, not only in the salvation that we have in Christ, but are being conformed to the image of Christ, being brought from one degree of glory to another to bring glory to God for who He is. And for what he has done.