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 (and only when) one (Greek: he) 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, now with unveiled face (having turned to Christ as our only righteousness), beholding the glory of the Lord, (or "reflecting His glory") are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
II Cor. 3
You cannot experience true transformation without the veil being removed. The veil is only removed by letting go of self righteousness. Self effort is/was the essence of the law....read Deuteronomy chapter 6! The children of Israel said, in direct reference to the moral code, "And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us."
And to this day, the same veil remains...clouding the understanding of all who cling to self righteousness by the law. They truly do not see the big deal about grace, they do not see what others are so excited about, and can even become suspicious of the preaching of the true gospel! (Which illustrates how seldom the pure gospel is preached. The larger percentage of believers have not been grounded in it. Their foundation is either a Catholic or denominational or charismatic system of works...a code of behavioral modification, justified by Scripture often taken out of context.)
That darn veil.
It is only removed one way! And only by the removal of the veil do we experience real, inner change. Everything, all my perceived "righteousness" up to the point of the removal of the veil was, in reality, a mere exercise in self modification. And some are better at the modification of the flesh than others. I was pretty good at it, which made me live a veiled life for longer than I might otherwise have had to.
After the removal of the veil, everything becomes an exercise of wonder, love and praise....an exercise of the Spirit, who is a far more potent change-agent. He produces His fruit in my life.
That is, once the veil is finally lifted, and I see Christ in His all-sufficient glory...
5 comments:
It's gone! Its torn. Its ripped wide open and aint nobody gonna be able to sew it closed again, since it is the hand of God that holds it open for you and me beckoning us in! Sheila, once again your posts are such a blessing! Love you so so so muchly!
I never was really good at that self control thing...Now others are catching up! Lol. I was a great pharisee though! Crying out! I saw one hint of it, and I was a gonner. I decided I'd pay any price for it!
You know, people don't get the big deal about grace. Its funny though, I saw a friend find peace in it over a facebook discussion. I felt compelled to warn her, others won't like this message. She didn't really care at all!!!!!
I am beyond grateful to the Holy Spirit for the revelation of the gospel. That veil that was over my understanding HAS been lifted.
New Covenant is a whole new way of looking at life - and our default mode is to try to go back to the veiled understanding. Every time you look at Scripture through Old Covenant glasses, your understanding becomes darkened....because of that veil that Paul says is "there to this day" when the law is exalted.
It is the most exciting thing EVER to read the Old Testament with an unveiled face, isn't it??
Love you, too...miss you! Hope everything is going well for you.
Awesome post, again Sheila!! Preach it, loud and bold, these truths need to be heard!!!
Hi Lydia!
Honey, I plan on teaching grace and Jesus and the New Covenant till the day I die, and BEYOND (through my writing). ACK!
If there is anything else TO be taught, I long ago (and blessedly) have forgotten what it would be. :-)
Grace and Peace to you and yours!
Nope, there is no other message!!
Blessings on you and yours as the wedding day approaches!!!
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