Turn and Be Unveiled

Today the Scripture sets two ways before us. One is Saul’s way and Jerusalem’s way: jealousy, false worship, and a heart that will not keep faith. Cyprian says, “Saul through jealousy conceived the rage of enmity and persecution.” Envy does not stay hidden; it becomes violence. So too the prophet speaks of a people who forgot God and gave themselves to filth. When the heart departs, outward religion cannot cover it. The veil remains.

The other way is David’s: hunted, hemmed in, with snares laid in his path, yet crying to the Lord instead of stretching out his hand in revenge. This is the beginning of liberty: not license to do as we please, but a true turning of the inner man toward God. As it is written, “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.” The apostle does not speak of a freedom from obedience, but from blindness, so that the law once written on stone is now inscribed on living hearts.

Therefore let no one boast in letters, reputation, or outward belonging. The question is whether Christ is being written into our deeds. If we pray, let it be with a real cry, not with a divided heart. If we repent, let it be by forsaking what defiles. If we suffer wrong, let us endure without envy. The glory that matters is not passing brightness on the face, but a life being changed into faithfulness.