“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And 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 from the Lord, the Spirit.”
~ 2 Cor. 3:17-18
We’ve seen that the Holy Spirit works to remind us that we are children of God, and that we have been united into a family.
Paul, however, adds some additional clarity to what that activity looks like on an experiential level in 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Beholding
Paul tells us that ‘we all’—that is, all believers—are beholding the glory of the Lord. This glory is ‘seen’ in Paul’s words, but that ‘seeing’ is in the heart, with spiritual eyes.
Later, in 4:4, we find out that the light of the glory of the Lord that we are seeing in our hearts is the Gospel. That is, that in believing the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins, we ‘see’ this glory in our hearts.
The reality of the Gospel—that is, that the Lord Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us—is the place where we see God’s glory in our hearts. This happens for us individually and personally. Just as Moses saw God’s glory in the wilderness, we can see His glory as well. Ours, though, happens spiritually rather than physically.
Freedom to see
In Exodus 34:34, Moses’ practice of placing a veil over his face is explained. When he would go in to meet with YHWH, he would remove his veil. When he would go back out among the people, he would veil his face, because it glowed.
Paul takes this imagery in 2 Cor. 3:17 and explains that the Lord, YHWH, is the Spirit. The Spirit works to offer freedom (liberty in the NASB).
But from what does the Spirit offer us freedom? The answer is connected with the veil. The heart of unbelievers is hard—it doesn’t want to see God because it is enslaved to sin.
The Holy Spirit removes the veil of hardhearted unbelief, and reveals the glory of Jesus in His Gospel love for His people, seen most clearly at the cross.
What does it mean for us? It means that we have unrestricted access, through the Holy Spirit, to see and enjoy the beauty and glory of Jesus (Heb. 4:14-16).
You, Christian, are free to enter into His presence at any time! You can see Him. You can behold His glory. You can be filled with JOY in knowing He loves you.
Why? Because the Spirit has set you free to see Jesus by faith in the Gospel!
