We have in this series looked at the Glory and beauty of Christ being the ultimate beauty that we so long for. We have seen that His beauty so excels any other beauty as displayed by His love, His sacrifice for us, His Glory, His wisdom, His strength, His humility, His obedience to the Father, His righteousness, and His justice. Let’s take a moment to read 2 Corinthians 3-18.
2 Corinthians: 3: (AMP) 10 Indeed, in view of this fact, what once had splendor [[c]the glory of the Law in the face of Moses] has come to have no splendor at all, because of the overwhelming glory that exceeds and excels it [[d]the glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus Christ].
11 For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!
12 Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.
13 Nor [do we act] like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze upon the finish of the vanishing [splendor which had been upon it].
14 In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away.
15 Yes, down to this [very] day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their minds and hearts.
16 But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).
18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
"Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)
When Moses came down from the Mount having seen only a glimpse of the Glory of God his face reflected that Glory with such brilliance so that Moses placed a veil over it as he presented the tables of stone to the people. That was the Glory demonstrated by God’s perfect righteousness, holiness, and justice. That brilliance has been superseded in the face of Jesus Christ who by taking on our penalty then magnified the beauty of perfect love, perfect grace and perfect mercy. God’s perfect righteousness, holiness and justice cannot be viewed by us because we are unrighteous, self exalting, and covetous by nature. When Christ took our place and paid the penalty for our sin, the veil can be removed that we might look upon the full glory of God only because we are declared righteous through the blood of Christ. Still, while on this earth we are only able to see the reflection as through a glass (sometimes dimly). Each step of this journey on earth for those who know Christ is a journey preparing us to see, rejoice in, and experience the fullness of His Glory one day when we stand before Him. We are merely pilgrims in journey to our final home in His presence. We are incapable of knowing the magnitude of that fact; yet, we hope in it. Step by step, glory by glory we are transformed into the image of Christ. Though I have not fully been transformed, I must by virtue of His transforming work become a mirror reflecting His Glory more today than last year. This is done by the work of the Holy Spirit in my life and as I continue to seek and savor Jesus Christ as my most precious treasure. This is also my prayer for each and everyone of you. As Paul prayed for the Church at Ephesus, this is my prayer for you.
Ephesians 3: 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
I hope you enjoy this song written and sung by Keith Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982)
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