January 26, 2025
Hello, Beloved.
At the beginning of 2 Corinthians 3 & 4, Paul is defending his ministry and needfully shedding light on the true nature of spiritual growth and change. These chapters reveal a profound truth: change in the Christian life doesn’t begin with effort; it starts with beholding.
Paul contrasts the old covenant, which he refers to as “the letter,” with the new covenant, which he calls “the ministry of the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:6). The issue with the old covenant wasn’t the Word itself; it was the human heart. Without the Spirit, the Word exposes sin but fails to heal it. Paul uses the image of a veil to illustrate this condition, not over the text, but over the heart. The truth is present, but not perceived.
Paul declares, “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (3:16). Turning to the Lord is not about striving; it’s about reorienting our hearts and minds to the Father. Before transformation, the heart must first perceive. In one of the most striking statements in the New Testament, Paul says that with “unveiled faces” we are “beholding as in a mirror” the glory of the Lord. As we behold, we are being transformed from glory to glory (3:18). The grammar emphasizes that beholding precedes becoming.
The Spirit desires to unveil the depth, security, and joy of our God-given identity—that we are beloved children of God, fully embraced by the Father in Christ. As we turn our gaze toward Him, the Spirit gently removes the remnants left behind by unbelief, striving, and earning, allowing our hearts to receive truth as a gift rather than a demand.
Imagine a glass with Kool-Aid residue dried at the bottom. We can pour clean water into it, but unless that residue is flushed out, the water becomes tinted by what remains. Similarly, the orphan heart, revealed as striving and earning, will leave a residue in our hearts. New truth can be poured in, but if the heart has not been cleansed and reoriented, that truth gets filtered, tainted by fear and performance. The Spirit’s work is like letting the water run until it becomes clear again.
Paul then extends this idea into chapter 4. He emphasizes that the gospel is clearly proclaimed, but if it remains “veiled,” the issue is not a lack of truth; it is spiritual blindness (4:3–4). Transformation requires illumination. Just as God spoke light into creation, He now shines light into human hearts “to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (4:6).
This is why we provided five simple stepping stones for beholding the Lord:
Silence
Praise
Intercession
Supplication
Thanksgiving
Within each of these, we regularly practice worship and listening, turning our hearts toward the reality of His presence. These practices help us slow down, fix our eyes on King Jesus, and stay aware of the Holy Spirit and what only He can do.
Paul’s message is clear: We can not have sustained, healthy growth in our identity if we believe that “making every effort” means trying harder. The Holy Spirit unveils our hearts to behold Christ, and to live from the secure joy of being God’s beloved children.
The Lord Jesus and His peace be upon you and your family!
GATEWAY EVENTS: Click here.
WHERE TO ENGAGE:
Gateway Groups (a community where you can experience, be family, and share the love of Jesus with others)
SUNDAY SERVICE:
BECOMING: Who Does the Father Say We Are? - Part 1 — Entire Service or Teaching Only
BECOMING: The Ministry of the Spirit — Entire Service or Teaching Only
CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT:
Giving Report: (*weekly income needed $21,500)
January 4: $9,921.00
January 11: $25,938.05
January 18: $11,912.43
January 25:
Greater Things YTD 2026: $2,983.84
Greater Things 2025 Total: $71,206.49
Current Mortgage Balance: $373,670.43
Click here to learn more about Greater Things (our accelerated mortgage elimination commitment) and participate.
Stay hopeful and healthy. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Transforming Lives Together,
Lance and Darlene Bane
Lead Pastor
Phone: 203-934-0880
Email: office@yourgateway.com