Unveiled – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 | Steve's Bible Meditations

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, NLT).

These verses make reference to the practice of Moses to wear a veil to hide God’s glory that was reflected on his facial features after being in God’s presence. Moses wore the veil because he didn’t want his fellow Israelites to see the glory of God fading from his face (see Exodus 34:33-35).

The Apostle Paul contrasts this vanishing glory with the growing brightness of the presence of God that now indwells us by the Holy Spirit!

Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, God’s glory can be increasingly reflected through us rather than fading away as was the case with Moses.

Paul says having the indwelling Holy Spirit is like having the veil removed from our hearts and minds so we can freely see God for Who He is and manifest His glory in our lives as we progressively become more like Christ.

When you look in the mirror, do you see Jesus? When other people look at your life, do they see Jesus?

Paul is saying that’s what should be happening in your life. When the Holy Spirit indwells you and is at work in your life, the veil of self is lifted so that Jesus can be revealed!

As the Holy Spirit removes the veil of “Me” from my life, then my life begins to shine for the glory of God. Then my life begins to look like Jesus.

So let the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, work in your life to form you into God’s image by replacing “Me” with “Him!”