2 Corinthians 3:16–18

Precept by precept we are changing. 

Precept by precept we learn the way of grace in Christ Jesus. 

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

To God be all  glory!

Thankfully, we have Jesus, the Word of God made flesh and blood (John 1:14). Acts 4:11-12 tells us "Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else. He took on the provocation of our sins and endured the pestilence, or consequence, of our choices: death. 

The power of God, our Rock, is most clearly seen in Jesus' life, death and resurrection. First5 

What I am learning is this: Perhaps the very people I exclude, are the ones who carry the light—the candle—that will allow me to see. That will allow me to see the Grace of God. Yes, and the expansive reach of God's acceptance. To every single one of us.

Today (in the Christian church), we begin our Lenten journey (Ash Wednesday). An invitation to remember where our identity is tethered. Permission to detach (or empty) ourselves from those things we may cling to, remembering instead that humility is not such a bad thing (human and humility are derived from the Latin word, humus, meaning earth). Bottom line: we have no need to impress or prove or earn, knowing that our wellbeing (or identity and worth) is imbued with and sustained by the very breath of God.

And... Happy Birthday John Lewis "Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." SabbathMoments 

2 Corinthians 3:16–18

16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. The New King James Version

One turns to the Lord refers to conversion and the reception of the Spirit. The veil removed signifies that nothing stands between believers and God. 

Through Christ, God has reconciled the world to Himself, bringing freedom and forgiveness. 

Paul may be identifying Christ with the Spirit—particularly in terms of their roles—while also distinguishing between them. Jesus and the Spirit are elsewhere identified with each other. It also is possible that 2 Corinthians 3:17 clarifies verse 16, where “the Lord” refers to God the Father. In this case, Paul’s point is that the Lord of the old testament is the Spirit of God. Either way, the Spirit’s role in lifting the veil is central to Paul’s message. 

The ministry of the Spirit brings freedom from the power of sin and death—those things that the law could not free people from. Unveiled faces represents freedom and confidence to enjoy God’s presence. The same image refers to the image of Christ that believers bear. 

Paul suggests that believers will progress through ever-greater degrees of glory (doxa in Greek). This may mean that they will learn and grow more in their relationship with Him over time. Alternatively, this progress may begin with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and culminate in the transformation of the physical body into a glorious one. Faithlife Study Bible

Whenever Moses turned to the Lord, he took off the veil. Likewise, we find freedom in Christ by looking to Him. 

The Holy Spirit is God Himself, like the Father and like the Son. 

The Spirit gives us freedom from sin, death, and the condemnation of the law. 

All believers behold the glory of the Lord in the Scripture and are transformed into the image of God. Christ is the image of God. 

As believers behold the glory of God in the Word of God, the Spirit of God transforms them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a description of the gradual process of sanctification. The NKJV Study Bible

Those who lived under the law, had a veil upon their hearts. This veil is taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God’s commandments. They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord. Christians should prize and improve these privileges. 

We should not rest contented without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working of the Spirit, bringing us to seek to be like the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and into union with Him. We behold Christ, as in the glass of his word; and as the reflection from a mirror causes the face to shine, the faces of Christians shine also. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Exodus 34:34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded.

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

2 Corinthians 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ