Freedom, Glory, and Bible Reading
To this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts [who have not put their faith in Jesus]. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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. (2Cor 3:15-18)
The Apostle Paul describes how Christians may, 1) experience ever greater freedom, and 2) experience glorious transformation; that is, become more like Jesus.
Freedom? Glory? Yes please!
How does this come about?
Two aspects are quite clear and third aspect is less clear, but important and practical.
First, we experience greater freedom and glory by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Many of us aren’t sure “how to pray.” (E.g. Luke 11:1) Here’s some practical help: ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Help you with what? With everything! To help you learn how to pray, to help you grow in freedom, to help you become more like Christ.
This New Year, ask the Spirit to help you, every day.
Second, we experience growing freedom and transformation by “beholding the glory of the Lord” Jesus Christ.
Jesus is where the glory is; Jesus is where the glory will come from. Whatever it is that we think we want for ourselves this New Year, it’s connected to this idea, “glory.” And so the Spirit is working to direct our attention to—you guessed it—Jesus.
Anyone who wants to move forward first must identify what “forward” means. It means, Jesus. Jesus is our goal, He embodies what we would wish for ourselves, and all we hope for comes to us in Him.
This New Year ask the Holy Spirit to help you get to know Jesus better.
Third, we experience growing freedom and glory, practically, by interacting with the Bible.
In 2Cor 3:15 Paul says, “Whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts.” That is, they read the Bible, but because they haven’t put their faith in Jesus, there’s no growing freedom or change.
But this is not true for us—“When one turns the LORD, the veil is removed.” So then we may, as Paul goes on to say, “with unveiled faces, behold the glory of the Lord Jesus.”
But, to be clear, this means, first of all, “Whenever [the Bible] is read.” It is beholding the glory of Jesus in God's Word.
We all want greater freedom and transformation this year. We want glory! The Spirit wants this for us too. So the Spirit is working 1) to get us into our Bibles, so that 2) we might see Jesus. For in Him is all we seek, and from Him all good comes to us.
Let me encourage you, as the New Year is here, to prayerfully apply a fresh measure of attention and even discipline to daily Bible reading and prayer. Similarly, consider a commitment to one of our several Bible studies, alongside faithful attendance of our Sunday services.
It may not seem like much, but what does Paul say? “Beholding Christ’s glory, we are being transformed, one degree of glory at a time.” Little-by-little the seed that is planted grows, becomes strong, bears fruit, and endures.
“Despise not the day of small beginnings.” (Zech 4:10)
Happy New Year:)
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If you'd like a bit more encouragement and direction, but aren’t going to be able to come to the Bible Reading Workshop on January 4, here are some previous year-end encouragements about reading the Bible. They also link to resources that may help.
Bread Alone? (2022)
Bible-Reading Bible Plan (2021)
2020 Bible-Reading Bible Church
Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash