A changed countenance

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! (2 Corinthians 3:7-11)

The old and the new. Have you ever noticed that God presents things in 'contrast' in the Word? Sin and righteousness, failure and restoration, despair and hope, captivity and freedom. The list could go on, but you can only discover those things as you read through his Word. The old led to death - the new leads to life. The old brought condemnation - the new makes us right with God. The old has faded - the new glory far outshines it.

The more we examine what has been 'made new' in Christ Jesus, the more we should want to press into that 'newness'. The old ways of living have been replaced with a new desire to make better choices. The old thoughts have been forsaken for a new way of thinking through life's challenges. We aren't the same any longer and we should not be living as though we are! The glory reflected on the face of Moses is nothing compared to the glory of God dwelling within each of us. The presence of God's Spirit actually makes one's life 'shine' - there is just something about a believer that isn't quite explainable in human terms, isn't there?

The Spirit of God actually creates a new 'image' for each of us. We no longer reflect the image of this world, but that of Christ Jesus. When others look upon our lives, they see love replacing envy, peace replacing discord and disharmony. The 'reflection' of his 'glory' is evident in our actions, but also in our countenance. Moral and spiritual character is reflected in one's face, is it not? We might not 'see' our own countenance, but others do and they are drawn to it, just as Christ intended. Don't apologize for the glory God brings into your life, or attempt to hide it, for it is the very thing that might actually draw one who is in desperate need of a life change themselves into the very presence of a merciful and loving God. Just sayin!