Have you ever wondered why the Bible is divided up into two parts, the Old and New Testament, and why they are named as such? Well, your answers can be found in 2 Corinthians, chapter 3. Paul addresses this division in the Bible and how He is now living in the New Testament, which is since Christ, who is Lord, came into the world. Now, let us begin this study, starting with verse 12. It reads, “seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth 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.” (2 Corinthians 3:12-16) There we have it, the time before Jesus came to earth was the Old Testament. The vail was upon their faces and hearts that they could not see Christ. The same thing happens with the Jews who haven’t received Jesus yet, but when they do, the veil is lifted that they may see the Lord. Even Jesus, the risen Savior, Messiah, and God.
Paul also taught, “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 killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:3-6) And so we have the new followers of Jesus that are of the New Testament. We don’t have a veil over our faces or hearts, for Christ is in us, to everyone who believes and makes Him Lord of their lives. We are led by the Holy Spirit now, which gives us life. “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.” (2 Corinthians 3:17,18) If you are living your life for Jesus, then you have also been changed and conformed to the Lord’s image. So keep the faith, even until the end of time. Your salvation depends upon your faithfulness to Jesus.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that the veil will no longer be upon people’s eyes and hearts. That, instead, people will know You, Jesus, as I and other Christians know You. We have given our lives to serve You, for we know that You are our God and have the power to save us from death to life. Our desire now is to be led by the Spirit. Keep our eyes fixed upon You, that the devil may no longer cloud our minds and hearts with worldly things that are only distractions from following You. No matter how good the temptation may appear to the flesh, it is not worth giving up what I have with You, Lord. What my flesh truly desires is not things that are temporary and cause guilt, but things that are eternal and bring about joy. It is amazing the times I have to spend in prayer and supplication unto You, my God. I am able to drift off and be with and learn from Your awesome presence. Even now, do I so drift, that the Spirit may come all around and inside me. I only desire for You to come into my life completely, Lord. My life is complete with You in my life. So come and make an everlasting home within my mind and my heart today and forever. I love You now and until the end of time. Following You and doing Your will brings me the greatest joy of all. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
