Enlightenment, Part 1
Reflecting the Lord's Glory
2 Corinthians 3v15-18
7th February 2015
While writing about the Israelites, Paul said:
2 Corinthians 3v15-16
Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
It's rather unfashionable in our generation to claim that one religion is better than another. Paul didn't have that problem. Or, if he did, he ignored it. He says here that a Jew can't see spiritual things clearly unless he turns to the Lord, by which he means Jesus Christ (Chapter 4v5). Since the Jews were the people entrusted by God with the Old Testament scriptures, we can deduce that the same can be said of anybody.
But Paul also tells us that whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away and we're enabled to see clearly. In Christ, we have the greatest revelation of the nature of God. Through the Gospel, we have access to God. By the Holy Spirit, we are enlightened by God.
Paul then says:
2 Corinthians 3v17-18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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.
There's a lot in those verses but, for now, let's just focus on a couple of things.
Firstly, all Christians are free. We're free from condemnation, because Christ has paid for our sins. We're free from fear, because Christ's atoning sacrifice has made us acceptable to God. And we're free to see clearly, because the Holy Spirit enlightens us. We who are in Christ have unveiled faces.
Secondly, we all reflect the Lord's glory. I know plenty of Christians who say they accept the Bible as the inerrant, infallible word of God. But I wonder how many of those good people believe they reflect the Lord's glory. Perhaps they believe it in theory. Perhaps they believe it about other Christians. But many of the people I know and love struggle to believe it about themselves. So may I ask you, dear Christian brother or sister: Do you believe that you reflect the Lord's glory?
If we accept the Bible, and if we know ourselves to be Christians, then we must accept what this passage tells us, that we all reflect the Lord's glory. Including you.
In John 8v12 and in John 9v5 Jesus said that He was "the light of the world". Jesus Christ is the source of all spiritual truth. But in Matthew 5v14, He told His followers - us - "You are the light of the world". Christians reflect Christ's light for others to see.
It may be that you're struggling with sin. It may be that, like Moses, you don't think you're a very good speaker. It may be that you're confused about some point of doctrine. It may be that you suffer from depression. And it may be that your parents, or schoolteachers, or "friends", or even your church make the mistake of reminding you of your faults - even, perhaps, exaggerating your faults. It may be that you're English, and are so afraid of being perceived as boasting that you prefer to think as little of yourself as possible. But the apostle Paul, writing in the pages of Holy Scripture, says that YOU reflect the glory of God.
Thirdly, we... all... are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. Again, I'd like to draw your attention to the word "all". Every Christian is being transformed into the likeness of Christ - including you. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Dear Christian, every second of every day, the Holy Spirit is at work in you. He's teaching you, and He's changing you. He's growing his fruit in you.
Galatians 5v22-23a
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
It's true that we can slow down the process we call "sanctification" by neglecting to co-operate with the Holy Spirit. But it's also true that this process is happening.
Every day, you are becoming more and more like Jesus.
Every day, you reflect more and more of His glory.