Let this veil be lifted from our hearts

I think I slept about 4 hours last night after reading the first 4 chapters of Ezekiel, for some reason I just couldn't relax. I read it as if in a trance, like I couldn't even look away. That happens to me sometime, and I pray that could be the case every time I open the word of God, never remotely taking it for granted!

Today I have read from II Corinthians 3 instead.

"You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;" (2)

What stands out to me in this verse is just how we should read the word of God. We don't want to get caught up in the pompous air of academia, neglecting the fact that it is God speaking to us, and our hearts should carry His message wherever we go. In that sense we are all authors of 'epistles' like Paul, and should let God's word be seen in us before all men (and women ;p).

"..our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?" (5-7)

It seems harsh for us to think of the law as a 'ministry of death', but such was and is its power. There was no means for salvation in it, only procrastination until a better covenant could be made. We may ask ourselves, how could not God, in all His power, make there some other way to eliminate our sin from existence without the sacrifice of His son? But 'what communion has light with darkness?" (II Corinthians 6:14). God could not 'eliminate' sin any more than He could allow sinners into His kingdom and still remain holy. Jesus' death confirmed what we already know in our own lives, the new life we have came from the death of Another, just as we eat once-living plants and animals to sustain our bodies.

"For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the OT, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (14-17)

I feel this verse sums up everything we should understand when it comes to serving God. When it feels like we being condemned, like we are under the law, we shouldn't run around trying to do this or that to try and cover up our tracks. Instead, let us ask ourselves, "Am I getting closer to knowing Jesus day by day?" That is really what it comes down to. Nothing, absolutely nothing else can change us. Men and women around the world are running in circles to find peace in a world of lies and deception. This may be a battle that is far from over, but if we tell ourselves, "I am willing to stand forever to fight for Christ", then it won't take very long! The Spirit is aching to fill the earth with His glory, and I don't want let my fear, selfishness, and pride do anything but speed it up!