05.11

More on Bondage versus Liberty "But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same
veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, 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. Now the Lord is the
Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:14-17)"

The new covenant of grace, which depends upon the Spirit of the Lord working in lives,
produces liberty: "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The old covenant
produces bondage in those who attempt to live under it, because it provides no resource
for meeting its demands. In our last meditation, we looked at the bondage of secrecy that
results from living by man's sufficiency. Spiritual blindness is another bondage that
comes from living under the law.

The Israelites were blinded by a veil that resulted from hardness of heart. "But their
minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of
the Old Testament [that is, the old covenant]." This hardness was related to self
-sufficiency. John, the Baptist, held forth the righteous standards of God and called the
people to repentance for their sins. "And he went into all the region around the Jordan,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Luke 3:3). John was aware
that many held a self-sufficient reliance in their ancestry (their blood-line link with
Abraham). "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to
yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'" (Luke 3:8). Jesus also encountered this same
hardness of heart as He preached. "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in
bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" (John 8:33). Like the self
-righteous Pharisee, these people thought they were better than others and had no need for
repentance. "He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were
righteous. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am
not like other men'" (Luke 18:9, 11).

Many people today rely upon their religious heritage to give them an acceptable standing
with the Lord. Such hardness of heart leaves them blind. They cannot see as God sees. God
tells them of their need, but they will not reach out to Him for help. How tragic this is,
because He alone is able to remove their blindness. "When one turns to the Lord,the veil
is taken away in Christ."

"O righteous Lord, I repent of the self-righteousness in my life. I want my heart to be
soft before You. I do not want to stagger around in a veil of blindness. Lord Jesus, I
humbly turn to You, in Your holy name, Amen."