Over the next few weeks we will consider God's call to "reach in" -- to meditate on His Word, allowing God to work in and through us by the power of that Word in order to help us become the people we are called to be. The Scriptures are transformational when they are read, understood, and applied to the lives of believers. Are you ready to be transformed? Reach in!
"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (2 Corinthians 3:16) The 'veil' Paul writes about here hearkens back to the veil worn by Moses after being in the presence of God. The veil served to separate the Israelites from being directly exposed to God's glory. But when we turn to Jesus we are able to stand before God and behold His glory. The veil is taken away. That glory is revealed to us in any number of ways, but the primary means through which God communicates to us His nature, whether it be His glory, His holiness, His power, or any other attribute, is through the Word of God. If we would behold God's glory, if we would experience the full benefit of having the veil removed, we do so through the reading of His Word, wherein God's glory is revealed.
"When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him." (Exodus 34:30)
"We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away." (2 Corinthians 3:13)
Here is an interesting contrast. In Exodus we are told that Moses put a veil over his face because the people were afraid to come near him. Later, Paul tells us that the veil was put over Moses' face to conceal the fact that God's glory was fading away. These are the sorts of things that many would point to as "contradictions" within the Bible. But there is no contradiction at all. When Moses first appeared after speaking with the Lord, his face was indeed so radiant that it caused Aaron and the Israelites to be afraid. As time passed, however, that glory faded, and the reason for wearing the veil changed. As the radiance lessened, Moses used the veil "to keep them from seeing that the glory was fading away because of the temporary and inadequate character of the old covenant." (Reformation Bible Study Notes by R.C. Sproul). Same story, different lesson and different perspective. On the one hand we see that the Israelites were afraid of God (not the same as "fearing" God), which helps us understand their struggle to know God intimately. On the other hand, we see that in Christ there is no need to be afraid of God (although we should still "fear" Him) because the old covenant, which might cause us to be afraid of God, has been replaced with a better covenant and better promises, freeing us to know God intimately as we study Him in Scripture and are filled with the Spirit.
"In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:11a-12)
God's gifts are revealed to us in the Bible, but we fully understand His message with the help of the Spirit. In Romans 1 we are told that everyone can see God's power and nature by looking at the created world. In Romans 2 we are told that the Hebrew people could see God's power and nature through the Law. But the only way any of us can be saved is by grace through faith, because the righteous live by faith. That faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. It is Scripture which communicates that word, and it is the Spirit which helps us understand the words we hear or read. What a gift that is, and what a shame that we so often fail to take full advantage of it. When we read God's Word, when we listen to it preached, the Spirit opens our hearts and minds to receive it, providing the faith through which we find life. How will you hear God's Word today?
"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word."
(Psalm 119:36-37)
Psalm 119 is a song extolling God's word. It reminds us of the value and power of that word for us. In these two verses we are reminded that one of the ways in which we can turn our heart toward God and away from worthless things is through His word. Studying and meditating on that word help to transform us into the image of God from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. That is to say, the more we soak up God's word the more we become like God in will and character. We do not become God, of course, but we grow to be more like Him as our will and character are conformed to His. That will and character are revealed in the Bible, and as we study it our hearts and minds are turned from worthless things and toward that which is beyond price. That is why it is imperative for God's people to study and know His word.
Studying God's word is very powerful. Every time it is read, it is new. How amazing is that? I've read the Harry Potter series maybe twelve times and it never changes, but I see new things in God's word every single time I read it. I learn new (to me) things about God's character, his will, his sacrifice, and things he has called us to do. Does this newness ever change? Do we ever study the Bible and no longer learn something? I hope not. With every fresh look at the Bible I also find conviction (I guess I shouldn't assume this is the same for everyone. I do mess up a lot). However, the way God uses his word to make us see new ways we need to be transformed and then, somehow, creates that change in our stubborn selves is fascinating. It often never even occurs to us that we are changing. Change is a very slow process, so slow it doesn't even feel like it is happening. This is just incredible!
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 2:18, NASB)
Here is a promise to cherish! As you and I come to know the Lord through Scripture, we are transformed into His image through the power of the Spirit. If there were no other reason to read God's Word, this one promise would be enough. But of course we've only scratched the surface of reasons to study Scripture, and we will explore those in the weeks ahead. For now, however, rejoice in the transformation that is leading you to ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, as you study, listen to, and meditate on Gods' Holy Word.
Over the next few weeks we will consider God's call to "reach in" -- to meditate on His Word, allowing God to work in and through us by the power of that Word in order to help us become the people we are called to be. The Scriptures are transformational when they are read, understood, and applied to the lives of believers. Are you ready to be transformed? Reach in!
ReplyDelete"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (2 Corinthians 3:16) The 'veil' Paul writes about here hearkens back to the veil worn by Moses after being in the presence of God. The veil served to separate the Israelites from being directly exposed to God's glory. But when we turn to Jesus we are able to stand before God and behold His glory. The veil is taken away. That glory is revealed to us in any number of ways, but the primary means through which God communicates to us His nature, whether it be His glory, His holiness, His power, or any other attribute, is through the Word of God. If we would behold God's glory, if we would experience the full benefit of having the veil removed, we do so through the reading of His Word, wherein God's glory is revealed.
ReplyDelete"When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him." (Exodus 34:30)
ReplyDelete"We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away." (2 Corinthians 3:13)
Here is an interesting contrast. In Exodus we are told that Moses put a veil over his face because the people were afraid to come near him. Later, Paul tells us that the veil was put over Moses' face to conceal the fact that God's glory was fading away. These are the sorts of things that many would point to as "contradictions" within the Bible. But there is no contradiction at all. When Moses first appeared after speaking with the Lord, his face was indeed so radiant that it caused Aaron and the Israelites to be afraid. As time passed, however, that glory faded, and the reason for wearing the veil changed. As the radiance lessened, Moses used the veil "to keep them from seeing that the glory was fading away because of the temporary and inadequate character of the old covenant." (Reformation Bible Study Notes by R.C. Sproul). Same story, different lesson and different perspective. On the one hand we see that the Israelites were afraid of God (not the same as "fearing" God), which helps us understand their struggle to know God intimately. On the other hand, we see that in Christ there is no need to be afraid of God (although we should still "fear" Him) because the old covenant, which might cause us to be afraid of God, has been replaced with a better covenant and better promises, freeing us to know God intimately as we study Him in Scripture and are filled with the Spirit.
"In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:11a-12)
ReplyDeleteGod's gifts are revealed to us in the Bible, but we fully understand His message with the help of the Spirit. In Romans 1 we are told that everyone can see God's power and nature by looking at the created world. In Romans 2 we are told that the Hebrew people could see God's power and nature through the Law. But the only way any of us can be saved is by grace through faith, because the righteous live by faith. That faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. It is Scripture which communicates that word, and it is the Spirit which helps us understand the words we hear or read. What a gift that is, and what a shame that we so often fail to take full advantage of it. When we read God's Word, when we listen to it preached, the Spirit opens our hearts and minds to receive it, providing the faith through which we find life. How will you hear God's Word today?
"Turn my heart toward your statutes
ReplyDeleteand not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word."
(Psalm 119:36-37)
Psalm 119 is a song extolling God's word. It reminds us of the value and power of that word for us. In these two verses we are reminded that one of the ways in which we can turn our heart toward God and away from worthless things is through His word. Studying and meditating on that word help to transform us into the image of God from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. That is to say, the more we soak up God's word the more we become like God in will and character. We do not become God, of course, but we grow to be more like Him as our will and character are conformed to His. That will and character are revealed in the Bible, and as we study it our hearts and minds are turned from worthless things and toward that which is beyond price. That is why it is imperative for God's people to study and know His word.
Studying God's word is very powerful. Every time it is read, it is new. How amazing is that? I've read the Harry Potter series maybe twelve times and it never changes, but I see new things in God's word every single time I read it. I learn new (to me) things about God's character, his will, his sacrifice, and things he has called us to do. Does this newness ever change? Do we ever study the Bible and no longer learn something? I hope not. With every fresh look at the Bible I also find conviction (I guess I shouldn't assume this is the same for everyone. I do mess up a lot). However, the way God uses his word to make us see new ways we need to be transformed and then, somehow, creates that change in our stubborn selves is fascinating. It often never even occurs to us that we are changing. Change is a very slow process, so slow it doesn't even feel like it is happening. This is just incredible!
ReplyDelete"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 2:18, NASB)
ReplyDeleteHere is a promise to cherish! As you and I come to know the Lord through Scripture, we are transformed into His image through the power of the Spirit. If there were no other reason to read God's Word, this one promise would be enough. But of course we've only scratched the surface of reasons to study Scripture, and we will explore those in the weeks ahead. For now, however, rejoice in the transformation that is leading you to ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, as you study, listen to, and meditate on Gods' Holy Word.