written by Connie Dunmyer
Do you remember what your life was like before Jesus? Perhaps, like me, you remember what life was like when you rebelled against Jesus. Or perhaps, even today, you find that there is a heaviness in your walk. It's like trying to "breathe granite", so to speak. Let's take a look at some of Paul's deep discussions with the people of Corinth, in 2 Corinthians 3.
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading [transitory] though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading [transitory] came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
Paul draws this striking contrast: if the old covenant — the law carved on stone — came with glory (and it did), how much more glorious is the new covenant through the Spirit, which is limitless and lasting.
The old covenant brought death and condemnation, yet it still carried glory. Moses’ face shone so brightly from being with God that the people couldn’t even look at him. But that glory faded. It was temporary. That’s why it had to be repeated—sacrifices, festivals, rituals & rules. It pointed to God, but it was a mere reflection. It was heavy and difficult.
But now, through Jesus, we’re invited into something far greater. A glory that doesn’t fade. A relationship that doesn’t need to be “repeated”. Through the Spirit, the words — those same ones engraved on stone — are made new! They shine with lasting beauty because they are lit by the Light of Christ. What was once veiled is now unveiled.
And more than that — WE are engraved now. Not on stone, but on the very hands of Jesus. The ministry of the Holy Spirit brings us life, righteousness, and transformation. And because of this hope, Paul says, "we are bold". Not bold in arrogance, but in certainty. In a world that worships ambiguity, clarity can feel like rebellion. But truth isn’t gray. Truth is found in the Light. And in that Light, there is Freedom!
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone 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 freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Moses veiled his face because the people requested he do so. They couldn’t handle the glory. Isn’t that still true today? The glory of the Lord IS "uncomfortable" at times. We claim to live in the gray, not because it’s real — but because it’s easier. We avoid the Light so we don’t have to see our sin. But the moment we turn to the Lord, the veil is lifted. And with unveiled faces, we reflect His glory.
This isn’t something we earn or even do ourselves. It’s something that happens TO us — as we walk with the Spirit, we are transformed, day by day, into the image of Jesus. And what a transformation it is. Not into comfort or ease, but into the likeness of Christ Himself.
I am so very thankful for the Spirit. Because I do remember what life was like without Him, I do remember living in rebellion, I do remember "breathing granite", and I refuse to ever go back to that heavy life. The Spirit is my Guide, my Joy, my Truth-Teller, my Friend, and yes — my Transformer.
Romans 8:29 says we were created to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Not created for a problem-free life, but for deep relationship with God — what was lost in Eden is being restored in us. And thus, we reflect His love, joy, peace, patience (forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control [Galatians 5:22-23].
And that is glory that never fades.
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