More Like Christ

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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 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.

Devotion:

            Today’s scripture is an encouragement to believers regardless of how we may feel on a particular day. God is working within us to make us more like Jesus. This promise is one which all believers can rejoice in. We all struggle with our sins day by day; however, God does not leave us alone. The Holy Spirit works within us to make us more like Jesus.

            But just what is this veil that Paul is writing about in this passage? Paul is referring to the Book of Exodus. In chapter 34 Moses writes about the veil he put over his face after talking with the Lord. He wore the veil because his face was shining because it was reflecting the glory of the Lord. The people were afraid of Moses because of this so he covered his face. See verses 33-35 of chapter 34 for the story in detail.

            Paul is saying that in the same way Moses covered his face with a veil so that the people could not see the glory of the Lord. Today the eyes of unbelievers are covered so they cannot see the glory of Jesus. Today people have that veil because they do not even desire to see Jesus face to face. The believer should reflect the glory of the Lord. It should be a reflection in both word and deed. Since Jesus calls us to be salt and light to the world in the sermon on the mount therefore, we should be reflectors of the light of Christ that we have been given by the Holy Spirit.

            We, as Christians, should never put up any obstruction to keep unbelievers to see the glory of the Lord that we all possess in one degree or another. If the gospel is veiled and hidden from their eyes, it must be an obstruction of their own making. Even so we should be growing in the fullness of the likeness of the Jesus Christ. Because if we are in Christ, we are new creations full of the light of Christ. As we daily ask God to fill us with the Holy Spirit as we are filled, we will be changed. Whether slowly or quickly we will be changed and become better reflections of God’s grace and love.

Prayer:

            Precious Jesus, our Savior and Lord, come and fill us today. May we be ever growing in your likeness. Help us to abide in you daily so that we may be changed increasingly into your likeness and image. Help us to reach the lost and discouraged people we meet each day. Help us to reflect our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. May we be salt and light to a dark and dying world. Amen.


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