THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. 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 Cor 3:15-18, KJV)
Devotion 7 of 33
"Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord . . . " (2 Cor 3:16a)
Other versions read, "Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord" (NKJV), "but whenever a man turns to the Lord" (NASB), "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord" (NIV), and "But when it is turned to the Lord" (BBE).
"NEVERTHELESS"
The word "nevertheless" is a grammatical disjunction meaning "but, moreover." That is, here is a circumstance that overrides a former one – something that undoes a former situation.
"Nevertheless" can be for good or for evil. When, for example, ten men from Israel spied out the land given to them by God, they conceded it was precisely what the Lord had said. They said to Joshua, "We came unto the land whither Thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it" (Num 13:27). However, because of unbelief or because of the veil over their heart they added, "NEVERTHELESS the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan" (Num 13:28-29). That expression cost well over half-a million people the right to enter the promised land!
Paul referred to two influential false teachers of his time: Hymanaeus and Philetus. Their word was like a cancerous growth among the people. Teaching that the resurrection had already passed, they actually "overthrew the faith." Although the situation was most serious, and may even have been judged to be an impossible one, Paul added, "NEVERTHELESS the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim 2:19). The foundation of God could not be displaced by these evil men, nor could their teaching subvert those in fellowship with those whom the Lord "knew."
"Nevertheless" stands between the possible and the impossible. In this case, it is like a passage from the evil to the good, from blindness to illumination, and from ignorance to understanding.
Although the hearts of the people had a veil suspended over them, causing them to be blind to Christ and the New Covenant He is mediating, there is something that can REMOVE that veil. It is, as you might expect, directly related to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a procedure, a discipline, or some fleshly achievement.
"WHEN"
The Kingdom of God is one of order – precise and purposeful order. It is not "order" after the manner of this world, which is often without meaningful objective. This is an order, or arrangement, in which the purpose of God is realized and the revealed need of mankind is met.
The word "when" is a word denoting transition – when the person moves from one condition to another, or when an appointed purpose comes to pass. Thus we read, "when" we were "yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom 5:6). Again, the coming of the Savior into the world is associated with "when." "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law" (Gal 4:4).
Paul also refers to his own enlightenment in these words: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood" (Gal 1:15-16).
Our text will speak of a time of advance from an unacceptable stage to an acceptable one. If that point can be identified, the time when the state of blindness ended and a time of insight began to be enjoyed will be pen-pointed.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the grace that enables moral and spiritual change – change into a condition with which You are well pleased.