I’d like to lay the groundwork for this article with two Scripture passages:

II Corinthians 3:13-18 (The Passion Translation)
13 We are not like Moses, who used a veil to hide the glory to keep the Israelites from staring at him as it faded away. 14 Their minds were closed and hardened, for even to this day that same veil comes over their minds when they hear the words of the former covenant. The veil has not yet been lifted from them, for it is only eliminated when one is joined to the Messiah. 15 So until now, whenever the Old Testament is being read, the same blinding comes over their hearts. 16 But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. 17 Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom. 18 We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

I Corinthians 10:11 (King James Version)
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

In the first passage, we see an Old Testament description of something that happens today–the blinding of the eyes so people cannot see their need for God. [There are other NT passages that refer to the blinding of unbelievers’ hearts so they cannot spiritually see their, speaking of the “eyes of their hearts”]

So let’s take this apart and then make an application that, if I’ve rightly divided the Word, can give you the ability to open people’s eyes and get them saved and into the security of the Kingdom of God. So notice this particular wording: “…that same veil comes over their minds when they hear the words of the former covenant.”

Note, the application of the Old Covenant (the Law) causes blinding, a veil over their eyes so they cannot see. However, the reading/telling of the New Covenant (Grace) frees one to turn to the Lord (the Holy Spirit) Who removes the veil.

So how do we apply this? How do we bring this truth that the Bible itself says is for today into our day-to-day lives? Take a look at a part of your own journey. I’m sure many of you were raised as I was with a heavy dose of guilt and condemnation, delivered by well-meaning saints who thought obedience to the Law of faulty doctrine and denominationalism would set us free. Instead, a veil of shame and sin-consciousness blinded us to liberty in Jesus. How did we get free?

The Bible says it is the goodness of God that leads us to a new way to think and be. I imagine the veil got lifted off of you because of some expression of God’s goodness. Someone was kind. Someone invited you to church. Someone offered to pray for you. Someone got you to church camp. Someone loved you. You can do the same for others–every day and certainly here at Journey Church.

People often say they feel something different about Journey from the minute they step through the doors. I believe that “something different” is many things but is maybe foremost the love and acceptance from God that shines through us as we “…all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus.” We are not like Moses who hid his shining face.

We can pray for people for the veil to be lifted, for them to see the Lord and give themselves fully to Him. But we can also be the shining mirrors that–from the heart–shake hands, smile, show a real interest, and know that we are being used by the Holy Spirit to thin and lift that veil, even as He stands by our sides to transform lives.

Now get out there and shine!