Removing The Veil (February 28, 2022)

REMOVING THE VEIL

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2

2 Co 3:12-18  Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness,  (13)  not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside.  (14)  But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside.  (15)  Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds;  (16)  but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.  (17)  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  (18)  And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2Co 4:1  Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.  2Co 4:2  We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 

Paul makes a comparison about what can be seen versus what is veiled from sight in II Corinthians chapters 3 and 4. In II Corinthians 5:7 Paul reminds us that we have to walk by faith and not by sight.

A quick synopsis from the Old Testament reminds us that Moses broke the first two tablets inscribed by the finger of God (Exodus 31: 18). Moses was told by God to go down from the mountain as the children of Israel corrupted themselves as they turned to idolatry worshiping a golden calf because of their unbelief. They had already broken the first two of the ten commandments on the tablets inscribed by God’s finger.

In Exodus 34 we are told that God replaced those tablets. Unbelief always causes problems! In today’s text, Paul associates the veil with unbelief!

Who is the only One who can remove the veil of unbelief?

God does not just want us experience just transformation, God also wants us to be an exhibit who Jesus is in our life!

TRANSFORMATION

What is it that can hinder our ability to experience transformation?

1) Works righteousness: Are there people who believe that they can earn God’s righteousness by obeying the law? In Galatians 3:10 Paul said, Gal 3:10  For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law."  How can we ever obey “all things “if we are all sinners?

2) Removing the curse: Jesus removed the curse in two ways. Consider First, Mat 5:17  "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 

Consider secondly the price Jesus paid! Gal 3:13-14  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"—  (14)  in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Can relativism hinder our ability to be transformed? Pastor Craig Christina said something that cuts to the chase: “The modern age of relativism teaches us us to value personal opinion above objective truth” (Michael Duduit. ed. The Abingdon Preaching Annual 1998. Craig C. Christina. “Removing the Veil”. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997, p. 85). So far, we know that the law cannot transform us and neither can “reletavism”! Relativism deceives us into thinking that we can find our own way without God! Relativaism will not work for a nation or for individuals. The point is that apart from Jesus Christ, we cannot remove this veil because apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5).

EXHIBITION

Is it enough to be inwardly transformed by Jesus Christ? No! Of course not! How can we change the world if the salt stays in the shaker? Didn’t Jesus tell us that exhibiting our faith is like being light to a world with people who stumble in the dark (Matthew 5:13 -16)?

When others look at us can they see us reflecting the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ?