2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 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. 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. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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.
Our bible study group is studying about Grace this current 6 weeks. I have really enjoyed the reading of the Word on this subject, as well as, the discussion that we have been having on Monday nights. I have learned a few things so far; Grace - the fact that we know God extends his grace to us should not be an excuse to sin knowing that we will be forgiven but knowing grace should make us want to strive to be more like Jesus. And the other thing is that there is freedom and liberty in grace and how we choose to use that freedom or liberty should be used to glorify the Lord and enjoy our relationship with him. When the Spirit of the Lord lives in us, we must choose daily to glorify our Lord and show others that he shines in us and there is no veil covering our faces.
This past week in our study was some good questions we should ask ourselves about the choices we have to make daily. Does the Word forbid it? Does the Word grant this freedom? If I do this will it glorify the Lord? I couldn't help feel that if I asked these questions regularly throughout my day, I wouldn't have to spend so much time asking for forgiveness for the stupid things that I had done that day that grieve the Lord and squelch the Spirit within me.
We also had the discussion about the legalism of our life and how we like to have a check list to go by. How it helps us to gauge our parenting, job, life in general, and basically know that we are OK and we're doing things good. A quote from Cynthia Heald, "Legalism exalts the flesh and stifles the Spirit; liberty (freedom) grounded in truth stifles the flesh and exalts the Lord."
Lord, help me to live in the Spirit daily and not squelch you within. Help me to ask the question, if I do this will it glorify you? Because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Jesus, I love you and want others to see the radiance of you on my face. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment