The Problem
"The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? (NLT)." ~ 2 Cor. 3:7,8
"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, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? (NIV)" ~ 2 Cor. 3:7,8
Why couldn't the Isrealites look at the face of Moses? Where they ashamed? Were they convicted? Were their hearts or minds hardened? Were they "freaked out" by its unusualness?
This verse tells us that the Law, "leads to death" or "brought death." So why would we want to continue to follow it?
"If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! (NIV)" ~ 2 Cor. 3:9-11
"If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! (NLT)" ~ 2 Cor. 3:9-11
I hate to beat a dead horse, but again, Paul writes that the Law "brings condemnation" or "condemns men." Why would I voluntarily choose to do anything in the Law? That includes everything from an animal sacrifices to tithing.
"Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold (NLT)." ~ 2 Cor. 3:12
Now, this is the truth. Christians are not arrogant, we are bold...confident, so to speak. We proclaim Christ with confidence because of a relationship based on trust and intimacy and not in haughtiness or a superior attitude. We are willing and eager to face danger or adventure with a sense of confidence and fearlessness, not because of feeling or a showing self-importance and contempt or disregard for others; that's what atheists do. Christians are not like the world, even though we are in it.
Next, Paul discusses the difference between the Israelites and the Christians.
"We [Christians] are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ (NLT)." ~ 2 Cor. 3:13-14
You see? Trying to revive the Mosaic Law, which brings condemnation and death, covers the minds of those whose minds are hardened, with a veil so they cannot understand the truth.
This what happenes to religious people...and atheists who are ignorant. "Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools." ~ Romans 1:22
"Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand (NLT)." ~ 2 Cor. 3:15
The Solution
"But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (NLT)." ~ 2 Cor. 3:16-18
You see? Becoming a Christian does not bring condemnation or bondage. As a matter of fact, Christ brings the opposite; Christ brings freedom! Christ brings freedom from religion, freedom from religious rules and regulations, freedom from condemnation, freedom from guilt, freedom from anger or a hateful heart, freedom from lies and deceit and freedom from the powers of darkness and the ways of this world.
Christians "reflect" the glory of the Lord. Is that why religious people or atheists are annoyed by Christians? Those people are "freaked-out" by real Christians. Christians are not like the sun; we are not the source of the light that shines the glory of God in us. We are like the moon, we reflect the light from God, which is the glory of the Lord.
How do we reflect the glory of God? By proclaiming Christ in truth and spirit...worship!
(Inspired by Ross Parsley)
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