Welcome to Day 19. for one of our short powerful devotions from the 31 Bible Verses About Practicing The Presence Of God. This short devotional is based on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
Read 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 meaning
Our Bible verses today are from the second letter that Paul wrote to the Christian believers in Corinth. There seems to be a bit of strife and conflict among the people in the church. Paul is trying to remind and encourage them that they, like us are on a similar journey. Once we believe that Jesus is who He said He is, then we begin transforming into a new creation in Christ. We are Christ's ambassadors and the main objective is to reflect the Lord's glory.
Paul is also pointing out the freedom that we have through the Holy Spirit to enjoy our Christian walk with God. In the Old Testament, under Mosaic Law (Law of Moses) sin caused a rift between the people and God. Moses' face would shine so bright after being in God's presence that the people couldn't bear to see it and so Moses had to wear a veil to protect the sinful people. But now that Jesus has come and died on the cross, and His death paid the price for our sin, that releases the Holy Spirit to come and live inside of each of us. This power brings such freedom to know God at a deeper level and to learn how to use each of the gifts that we receive from Him.
Meaning of 2 Corinthians 3 17
With the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us we are being transformed into God's image.
Join me below as we learn what unveiled means and how we are transformed into the image of Christ. Make sure to join me in prayer too at the end of this post!
Transformed Into The Image Of Christ
I have always been intrigued by 2 Corinthians 3:18. What does unveiled face mean?
Those two words, 'unveiled face' have such a transformational meaning behind them for us!
Paul is referencing Exodus 34 when the skin on Moses' face would shine so bright after he had been in God's presence. He was reflecting the Lord's glory. The problem was that the Israelites sin prevented them from being able to withstand this glory. So Moses had to wear a veil to protect the Israelites from the reflection of God's presence.
But for you and me now, we can come into God's presence with unveiled faces. We aren't hampered by sin like the Israelites were. Yes, we are still sinful but Jesus' death on the cross paid for that sinfulness and once we put our faith in Him we have access to God's presence without any hindrances. We have no need for a veil!
Here is a lovely quote that eloquently explains what I am trying to convey to you of the beautiful freedom we have in Christ.
Transformed from glory to glory
But we have a responsibility to allow God to transform us into His likeness. We should reflect the glory of God. We with unveiled faces can boldly look at Jesus. That is what the word 'beholding' means in 2 Corinthians 3:18. By beholding we become changed. We are changed from glory to glory. We are being transformed into the image of Christ. The more we boldly come into God's presence, the more changed we become and reflect the Lord's glory.
Paul tells us that it is the Holy Spirit that does this transformational work in us. This happens as we prayerfully meditate on scripture and enjoy being in the presence of God.
To enable you to enjoy more of God's presence, I have prepared a guided prayer journal and a list of 31 scriptures for you to meditate on about practicing the presence of God. You will find it in the Resource Library. Use the following questions to go deeper with our Bible verses today.
Today's devotional is based on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 which is from our Practicing The Presence Of God: 31 Presence Of God Scriptures Plan. You will find a free printable PDF of 31 scriptures about God's presence in the Resource Library. It has a bible reading plan, guided prayer, and gratitude journal. Download this free printable or grab a notebook and answer the following questions.
What is God saying to you through this verse?
What burdens do you need to surrender to God and trust Him with?
Write out your prayer request.
What are you grateful for today? Count your blessings!
Write out the scripture verse, it helps you to memorize the scripture and store up God's truth in your heart.
Then in the last section of the prayer journal, there is space to record what God is speaking to you through our bible verse today, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
Scripture Prayer
We are called to pray without ceasing. That means we can talk with God at any time and in any place. This is a great way to practice the presence of God. Praying scripture is a powerful way to pray so join me in praying 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
Thank you Father for sending Your precious Son Jesus, just so I can come into Your presence all the time without the need of a veil. Help me to work with Your Holy Spirit as He transforms me from glory to glory. Fill me with a deep hunger to read Your word and to prayerfully meditate on it. I want to reflect Your glory. Fill me with such a great delight as I behold Jesus and I pray that as I gaze on His loveliness, I too will start to be transformed into the image of Christ. Amen.
Related Resources:
You will find Practicing The Presence Of God: 31 Presence Of God Scriptures HERE. It will have the list of 31 Bible verses that we are using for 31 days that our short powerful daily devotionals are based on.
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xx Karen.