The Power to Remove Veils

Have you ever been so committed in helping someone see and experience the Truth in Jesus Christ that you felt you were going to burst with frustration when the epiphany never occurred? No matter what you say, no matter what argument you put forth or logic or scripture that you use, the darkness remains. You know the Truth; the Truth has changed your life. You are desperate to have this person about whom you care so much to experience this same transformation through which He has brought you. However you feel your desperation goes unanswered. Why? Aren't we supposed to change lives through the Gospel? Isn't that the Great Commission?

I have struggled for years with these questions as I watched people that I love go in directions that were away from the Lord. It has only been in the last few years that my precious Lord has begun to give me revelatory truths about the whole picture. Multiple scriptures emphasize the message that He spoke to me and as I listen to my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ proclaim their frustration, the clarity of this message from Him grows. It is simply this: we cannot lift the veil that blocks understanding. Only One can do that and He is our Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:16-17 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. So we wonder, how can someone turn to the Lord before the veil is lifted? When does this critical transition take place? And why does it seem that others turn their backs on Him after they have had revelation knowledge about Him?

I don't have answers to the very questions that I raise, but I do know what scripture tells me. Matthew 13:12 To those who listen to my teaching more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding will be taken from them. Clearly growing in the Lord is a process, a journey that we are all traveling. As we grow in Him, He will take us deeper, giving us more knowledge and understanding, but if we refuse to listen, the journey abruptly comes to a halt. Think about this from the perspective of those who are on the threshold of opening their hearts to the Lord. There is a crack in the door, a ray of light is shining on their hearts, and the Lord will take advantage of that minute turn towards Him and provide more understanding, more knowledge. The veil will begin to lift. It is a heart matter, not a head matter. The heart - our soul - knows the difference between right and wrong and knows the direction to turn for true freedom. The flesh will battle this turn of direction, especially if the flesh is being satisfied with earthly distractions. However, God's heart is that not one will perish, so He pursues us, each of us.

Matthew 9:12 -13 When Jesus heard this, He said, "Healthy people do not need a doctor - sick people do." Then He added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture; 'I want you to show mercy not sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." All the Lord needs is a repentant heart which grasps that the status quo of life is not what it should be. God can take that little opening and shed His light in the darkness. He can lift the veil so that each person can see Him for the answer. Holy Spirit is indeed our teacher, counselor, comforter. He stands at "the ready" eager to bring revelation to each person open to hear it in their souls and thus their spirits can become transformed.

Are we capable of accomplishing that? No. We are called to show mercy in how we live our lives and to provide examples of what transformed lives look like. We do take the gospel to the ends of the earth, but we do so with His love stamped all over our lives. We begin by ministering to those we are trying to reach, setting the stage if you will so that God can then do his work and lift the veil. Let us never be confused about the facts: we are not the ones that hear the knocking of Jesus on the door and can open it for someone else. Revelation 3:20 "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Each person must take that step for themselves. We can present the doorway to them. We can share the life changing power of Jesus Christ in our lives, but each person must turn to the Lord, opening his/her heart and letting Him in.

One particular set of circumstances comes to mind in this regard. There are many well-meaning believers who feel compelled to transform the way our Hebrew Brethren see Jesus Christ. This will only cause great frustration and build an even bigger wall dividing Christians and Jews. The Lord has made it clear throughout scripture that there is a veil in place and only He will lift it. Why are we trying to do His job? Our job is to honor our Hebrew Brethren and demonstrate to them the love of Christ. We are also called to stand beside them and pray for Jerusalem. That is an entirely new topic, but I felt it important because it is still the reiteration of the placement of the veil that prevents understanding. We cannot lift it, only God can.

Many of us believe we are living in the end times. If that is indeed the case then time is short to have an impact on the harvest for the Kingdom. What each of us must come to understand and live, is how can we be the most effective servants for the Kingdom. What is God calling us to do in reaching those that have yet to embrace His love and the Truth that will set them free? Freeing ourselves of the "mandate" that someone else's salvation rests on our shoulders may be the most empowering facet of the next season of life. Never stop presenting the gospel; never stop demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ in your daily life; never stop offering to show someone the "doorway" and ask them to listen carefully for His voice. However free yourself from believing that you are responsible for whether that person hears the knock and Jesus' voice, opening the door to His love. Just keep listening to His voice in your life and He will direct you in exactly the direction He needs you to go. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. It works. I can vouch for it!