If there is one chapter in the Bible that can stand relevant to humanity in any timeline or culture, it’s 2 Corinthians 3! This beautifully-written chapter gives us a glimpse into just how spiritually shameless and unafraid Paul was.
Verse 4-“Such confidence we have through Christ before God!”
This kind of confidence is utterly devoid of pride. I can now understand my own depravity with no pride or shame to make me try to compensate for it or despair over it. There is also no fear of condemnation for my fallen nature…since Christ already bore the punishment for sin. This understanding brings so much freedom!
If I believe I am ever WITHOUT Him, I can do nothing. When I’m aware that I am connected WITH Him, I’m full of light, power, peace, love, and understanding…I am complete. Connection with God is a gift, bought and paid for completely by Christ. We cannot undo Emmanuel; this is God with us.
Too many children of God are standing before their Father with no confidence in who (Whose) they are…even though they have received this amazing gift!! They love God, they are trying to behold Him, but their eyes are still veiled by fear and shame. If they still speak of being found guilty, punished or condemned by God as believers and His children, the law is still covering their eyes. Only in Christ (the fulfiller of the law, the bringer of a NEW covenant, the Savior) can the veil of fear and shame be lifted. When it is lifted, we are blinded by light instead of darkness.
We behold the face of our God without shame for our present, carnal state. He’s not afraid to be seen with us. We behold Him without fear of being punished for our sin, because He already bore that punishment and bought our freedom. Fear is swallowed up in love, shame is swallowed up in confidence, and pride is swallowed up in humility. And we haven’t done a thing except behold Him. Ha!
As we live our lives, we begin to realize that we are reflecting Him. He is goodness. He, quite literally, has nothing bad about Him. Nothing about us can affect God’s presence or love towards us, His children. However, our focus will determine how clearly we can see or reflect Him. We are not asked to *do* anything about our present, fallen state. We are told repeatedly to COME. We must come before our Father exactly as we are, and lock our eyes on His.
He will never look away, not even for a moment. But you must choose the same. Let life do its thing and bring its storms…keep your focus. Feel every single emotion without breaking eye contact. You don’t need to see the path ahead, He’s already paved it. You don’t need to be ready for what’s up ahead, He’s making you ready right now. Hold your focus. At just the right time, He will tell you which way to go.
It may seem uncertain at first, but the longer you can match His gaze, the more exciting the adventure becomes. You realize the true state of things. Victory is won already. You are free. You’ve been given authority and the keys to the kingdom! You start to get to know God. You realize how well He already knows you. You begin to be truly transformed into His likeness, and yet remain so completely yourself.
Amazing.