The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.. whose image are you reflecting? Written February, 2013 by Annette O. Brown.

Central Park, New York is one of my favorite places. The reflection of this building was captured during one of my visits. ~A.O. Brown.

 


The Veil over their hearts



The temple (Solomon’s temple built for God to inhabit) had a very large veil that separated the rest of the temple from the Holy of Holies.  The High Priest entered once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 9 v 7)

At the culmination of the torturous crucifixion Christ cried out “it is finished!”  Soon after, the veil in the temple was ripped from top to bottom.  This tearing of the veil symbolized the removal of separation in our communication with God.  Jesus made atonement for our sin.  Through Jesus’ sacrificial death, sin no longer has the power to separate us from our Creator.  Christ provides us with access and we can “come boldly to the throne of God.” by ourselves in prayer and communication with God..  Christ has taken on the role of the High Priest in our lives. Jesus  is our Savior, redeemer, counselor and friend.



The Light

In Exodus 34 the veil, that Moses covered his face with as he spoke to the Israelites, can be interpreted as symbolic of separation from the light of relationship and knowledge of God.  

“The children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished….their minds were blinded even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart…Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. "     2 Corinthians v13-16  (KJV)..


“Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
                                                                                                                              2 Corinthians 3 v 17 (KJV)

The Spirit of the Lord provides freedom and liberty through the knowledge of who we are in Christ.  This knowledge comes when we accept Christ as our Lord  and Savior.  The connection we can have in Christ is highlighted in the following scripture:

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 
2 Corinthians 3 v 18 ( KJV).


As a reflection

This is a powerful revelation.  We who have a relationship with Christ can behold the glory of God through Christ.  In fact we can be changed into that same image of Christ by the Spirit of the Lord and this is our journey as Christians.  We need to become more and more like Christ going  from glory to glory, a bright shining reflection of His image.

In contrast, the attributes of an individual with a lack of connection with Christ is once again highlighted in Corinthians 3 v 3-4.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ , who is the image of God.”

Here we can gain insight into the life of those who are believers in comparison to those who are not believers of Jesus the Christ.  Jesus the light of the world, who is the image of God, will shine on those who believe, like Moses. (Moses’ face was so bright after being in the presence of God that he was led to cover his face).  In contrast it is said that those who do not believe …they will remain in a darkness that the god of this world has blinded them with.

As believers who chose to enter a relationship with Christ, we can all remember the transition from a dulled knowledge of God to a wonderful intimate relationship.

Later in this passage a very significant statement is made.  This statement really sums up a Christian's  relationship and role in Christ.  As Christians we do not just reflect God’s image to others, Christ actually works in us and through us.  Through Christ or better still in Christ we are able to do and be exceedingly more, if we allow Christ to work through us.  What awesome greater works we will do.


“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us…” 
                                                                                                                                                                       2 Corinthians 4 v7. (KJV).


​​© 2018-2022, Annette O. Brown Creations, Media. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured by the author.