Glorious: Seeing Then We Have Such Hope: The Vail Done Away With In Christ - Part 2808

Apostle Paul continually encourages believers to understand from whence comes our salvation, but at the same time, that we are no longer under the law -- fleshy tablets of stones. Indeed, herein Paul is elaborating on this point -- that even in the reading of the old testament, the vail remains upon our hearts. The vail which is the law -- that could never save us from our sins. But even more so, the law is bondage, wherein we remain in bondage, under the wrath of the law, wherein we always feel guilty.

But this is not the glorious message of the new testament, wherein we understand that when we turn to the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, the vail is taken away. 

Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. This is our hope -- the glorious good news message of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherein He has made us able ministers of the new testament. 

The other point to remember is Abraham (by faith) came before the law. This historical timeline is a critical point of understanding (again, from whence comes our salvation) -- which we will delve into further in the days ahead. For now, let's set the context and foundation of apostle Paul's teaching to the saints and churches in Corinth. 

"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.  

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (II Corinthians 3:1-18)

More to come. Stand in the offering plate.