A very common activity of most
humans is to look in the mirror each day in order to examine
their appearance. When we are young and vibrant,
it is easy to be pleased with what we see, but the older that
we get, the more shocking that image appears. Paul writes to
the Corinthians about the veil which was upon Moses' face, and
likens that veil to the lack of vision which the Israelites
had of the glory of the law given on Mount Sinai. The glory and
power of that law was under condemnation, as is illustrated by the fact
that no man could approach under that mountain without being killed.
Man naturally looks at the law as a code of ethics or moral
guide which he assumes he can and should abide by. The religious
man even glories in it and often judges his righteousness relative
to others and to that which is accepted by God by his own supposed
adherence to it. He believes that he can earn
the favor of God by his dedication to it and considers that the
blessings of God are dispensed according to his obedience. even
when that obedience is imperfect. This is the same veil of darkness
which leads to utter destruction and is manifested most clearly
in Paul's recognition of the errors of the Jews. For they,
being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto
the righteousness of God. Thus Paul instructs the Corinthians
using the illustration of looking in a glass, that is, a mirror.
He instructs them that the man who is brought from darkness
to light by the new birth does behold with open face the true
glory of God, and to see that Christ alone is that glory. The majesty and power of the
gospel, which brings life and immortality to light, does show
that those who are bowed down with their own sin and inability
to keep the law, that the sum of all righteousness is found
in Jesus Christ alone. Thus, as he looks into this mirror,
and rather than seeing himself as a condemned sinner, he begins
to see that there is therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in Christ Jesus. The more that he stares at Christ,
the more that he beholds the glory of the Lord's righteousness,
and the less that he considers himself to be righteous by his
own deeds. The flesh will always gravitate
towards condemnation. because it is still operating
under that veil which cannot behold the true glory of God,
but assumes that this glory must be in his own keeping of the
law in some measure. This darkened and corruptible
flesh will seek to make the child of God think that he is wrong
not to examine himself by the law and to compare himself to
its demands. The man who is born again is
well aware that he cannot keep the law. He does not need a continual
stirring up of the image of his corruption by the constant harassment
of duty works. There is a purpose in self-examination
and exaltation, but its purpose is not to put the veil of the
law back over his face. The man who is born from above
despairs of being stirred up to good works by the condemning
power of the law and the constant exaltations unto an obedience
to it. Rather, the man who has eternal
life is only made strong as he beholds the image of Him who
is incorruptible and in whom resides all of the glory of God's
righteousness. Thus his self-examination, as
he looks into the mirror, causes him to see that the righteousness
of Christ alone is his hope. He is changed by this constant
gaze as he is given eyes to see that Christ has borne his sin
and carried it away and imputed to him his own perfect righteousness. The longer he stares at this
image of the glory of God, the more of that glory he sees and
the more precious the Savior and source of his righteousness
becomes. He sees with open face the absolute,
imputed righteousness of Christ as His own. He sees with open
face the complete sinlessness of Christ. He sees with open
face the fullness of the Godhead bodily in Jesus Christ. He sees
with open face the risen Christ. For now we see through a glass
darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then
shall I know, even as also I am. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.