![]() ![]() It’s easy to be open and authentic with each other when we’ve just returned from a mountain-top spiritual experience. The mask that was intended to prevent others from seeing our weaknesses actually shields us from the transformative power of God, which alone can remedy those flaws. Tragically, we can use that veil to hide ourselves from God as well. We hide our true selves under a façade of normalcy in hopes that others will assume all is well. That’s why so many of us tend to “veil up” as the radiance of our last spiritual high begins to fade. It’s harder to do so when we’re enmeshed in the daily grind of life, struggling to remember and apply spiritual principles to complex challenges. ![]() Better to cover the face while it’s still glowing and let everyone assume that its brightness continues unabated! After the next mountain-top experience with God, it will be safe to take the veil off again-at least for a little while. A leader with a glowing face inspires confidence, but if the luster fades, doubts about his fitness will surely arise. He says that the veil was not to hide the brilliance of Moses’ face rather it was to hide the fact that its intensity faded over time. Only then would he put on the veil, wearing it until he returned to God’s presence so that the glow could be restored. Rather, he would speak the words of God to the people, his glowing face unveiled. In fact, it says that Moses would not veil his face immediately after leaving the Lord’s presence. I had always assumed that he wore this veil because the Israelites couldn’t stand the brightness of his countenance. All faithful church leaders pray for God to reshape their congregations into the image of Jesus.Įarlier, Paul had said, “We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.” (2 Corinthians 3:13) The reference is to a story in Exodus 34, where it is recorded that whenever Moses spoke with the Lord, his face would glow, and that afterward he would cover his radiant face with a veil. The first of these, according to Paul, is “unveiled faces.” To understand his meaning, a little background is in order.Īll genuine believers pursue transformation. But we can and must cultivate the conditions under which the Spirit can best perform his work. Flesh can only beget flesh the Spirit alone can bring new life. ![]() While transformation is normal and expected for all Christians, we are not capable of producing it. All faithful church leaders pray for God to reshape their congregations into the image of Jesus. It is not just for people who are “really messed up,” nor is it solely for new believers or people who are just “into church.” All genuine believers pursue transformation. The opening words of 2 Corinthians 3:18-“we all”-make it clear that the transformative process is not optional. Yet in many gatherings of Christians, it is hard to find much hard evidence of any kind of transformation most of the data point instead toward “business as usual.” That expectation is expressed biblically by words like regeneration, new birth, new creation, metamorphosis, new life and resurrection. The promise of the gospel message is transformation. ![]() Glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever increasing ![]()
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