The Glory of The Lord

Scriptural Text: 2 Cor 3:18

"But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him." (LV)

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)

Paul letter to the church of Christ in Corinth. Paul admonished this church that we are living letters(written on our hearts, rather than stone), that are personal to the public. (3:1-3)

Glory of God: The revelation of God’s power and characteristics, sometimes accompanied by visible phenomena.

Glory as an attribute of God

Psalm 24:7–8 (ESV) — 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

John 11:40 (ESV) — 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

Someone Once Said …

• The gods we worship write their names on our faces.—Ralph Waldo Emerson

• The man who is dejected and disquieted and miserable, who is unhappy and depressed always shows it in his face.—Martyn Lloyd-Jones

• Even an old barn looks better with a fresh coat of paint.—One woman’s answer to the question, “Should Christians wear makeup?”

II. The Unveiled Glory of God (3:7–18): Paul contrasts the law of Moses with the gospel of grace (Covenant), showing the superiority of the latter over the former.

Covenant: An agreement between two parties that specifies requirements for at least one party, and includes blessing and curses for obedience or failure.

Law: Culturally or divinely prescribed regulations for living. The regulations always carry a punishment for disobedience.

As those who reveal the glory of God( Ex 34:33–35; 2 Co 3:18; see also John 1:17)

Exodus 34:33–35 (ESV) — 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

John 1:17 (ESV) — 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

A. The law of Moses (3:7, 9a, 10a, 11a, 13–15)

1. It was accompanied by a fading glory (3:7, 10a).

2. It was temporary (3:11a).

3. It led to death (3:9a).

The law of Moses: It functioned as a veil, restricting God’s glory (3:13–14a, 15).

5. It prevented Christlikeness in the lives of unsaved Jews and Gentiles (3:14b).

B. The gospel of grace (3:8, 9b, 10b, 11b–12, 16–18)

1. It is accompanied by an unfading glory (3:10b).

2. It is eternal (3:11b).

3. It leads to life (3:8).

Jesus Christ sets his people free from the condemnation and oppression of the law. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are able to fulfil the law obediently according to God’s intentions. Note 3:17

The freedom of believers rests on the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro 7:1–6; 2 Co 3:17–18; See also Ro 8:1–17; Ga 5:16–18; Ga 5:22–26)

The gospel of grace: It functions as a mirror, reflecting God’s glory (3:16–18).

5. It produces Christlikeness in the lives of saved Jews and Gentiles (3:9b).

6. It produces boldness (3:12).

God’s glory revealed In Jesus Christ (Heb 1:3; See also Is 49:3; Jn 1:14; Jn 13:31–32; Jn 17:5; 2 Co 4:6; 2 Pe 1:17)

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) — 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

In his people (Col 1:27; See also Is 60:19–21; Is 62:3; 2 Co 3:18; Eph 3:21

Colossians 1:27 (ESV) — 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

In the whole world (Is 6:3; See also Nu 14:21; Ps 57:5; Ps 57:11; Hab 2:14; Hab 3:3

Isaiah 6:3 (ESV) — 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Psalm 57:5 (ESV) — 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

Psalm 57:11 (ESV) — 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

But wait a minute!

“to behold and adore that glory in heaven, but we ought not to ignore our opportunity to get in practice now. By prayer, meditation, worship, and study of His words and deeds in Scripture, we can renew our own contact with God’s glory in a strengthening, even impelling way.”