Second Corinthians 3:18 tells us that "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 Spirit." "Unveiled faces" in this verse is a reference to something that happened to Moses, recorded in Exodus 34. When Moses descended from the mountain after spending time with God, God's Glory reflected on his face. As time passed the "glory" faded and Moses, in a effort to hide the fading, wore a veil over his head. In contrast, those of us in Christ do not have a fading glory. By His abiding Spirit, we reflect His glory in ever increasing measure, as we are made more like Him. Rather than a fading glory, it is an increasing radiance. As beautiful as this imagery is, there is more to this verse than the contrasting of the Old and New Covenants. If you read the entire section (beginning with verse 7) you will find that verses 17 and 18, though obviously connected to the preceding verses, are somewhat awkward. A study of the word used for "reflect" in the original language indicates that it can be translated "behold" as well as "reflect." The ambiguity in this verse may be intentional, thereby, conveying more than the contrast spoken about in the previous verses.
Having been made new in Christ, we enjoy the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Due to His abiding presence, we reflect God's glory. Christ is the fullness of God's glory. Our lives, therefore, are to reflect Jesus in all that we are and do. People, "behold" Christ in us. As we are made more and more like Jesus by the sanctifying work of His Spirit, we radiate His glory, His person, in ever increasing measure. In other words, this verse is telling us that the closer we are to Jesus the more like Him we are made, and the more like Him we are, the more vivid our reflection of Him. This is the lesson Judy learned at the lake that day and is the lesson we need to learn. We need to keep close to Jesus, thereby, keeping our lives open to His sanctifying work Then, through our living "unveiled lives," people will see Jesus in us.
Surely, we all have, at one time or another, given or received the advice; "keep your eyes on Jesus and take them off people." There is a measure of truth in this advice. People do fail us and there is also a great temptation to compare ourselves with one other. On the other hand, we need to keep in mind that people see Jesus in us. Therefore, to keep our eyes on Jesus involves seeing Him in His people. Living unveiled lives, which radiate Christ, is not only for those in the world, but for fellow believers as well.
The visitor, with wide eyed wonder, watched the master silversmith at work. He watched the silversmith carefully prepare the silver for molding. He placed the ore in a large pot hanging over the carefully tended, hot fire. Soon the ore liquefied and came to a slow boil. The silversmith carefully monitored the process. Every so often, he picked up a ladle and carefully scooped off a residue that had risen to the top to discard it. The onlooker was curious and asked the silversmith what he was doing. The master craftsman told him that he was making sure that the sliver was pure, free from any impurities. He went on to explain that as the silver boiled the impurities would rise to the top. The dross, as they are called, would then be skimmed off until the silver was pure and ready to be molded. "How do you know when the silver is pure," the man ask. The silversmith answered, "when I see my face clearly reflected n in the silver, I know it is ready."
The closer we are to Jesus, the more like Him we are made by His sanctifying work, and the clearer His reflection in us becomes! "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 Spirit."
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry