Blog theologymadeeasy 2 weeks agoNovember 9, 2025

With Unveiled Faces

We all want to be known as someone who impacts others. We want to feel like our lives serve a purpose. We all want to be popular. The unparalleled skyrocketing of social media is evidence that we all want to be noticed. We smile and pose in post after post as we chronicle our lives for all to see. Milestone moments, vacations, and mouthwatering meals populate the social media feeds of millions of people every day, each one crying out, “Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!”

Obviously, I am not opposed to social media. It is the main format for me to release new content, connect with people, and also find inspiration and new ideas. Where my problem lies is when social media becomes such an important part of our lives that we lose sight of the reality around us. There is a real world that surrounds us, and it is full of people who need to know the love of Christ in a real way.

This “real world” is set in reality, and exists apart from the filters, curation, and highlights that fill millions of social media feeds on a daily basis. Real people face real problems. They need real answers that help them in a way more meaningful than AI can achieve. They are looking for something to fill the gaping void in their lives.

When Moses Wore a Veil

During the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were missing something as well. They needed a structure for how to live in what would be their newly formed nation. A set of rules, or laws, that would serve as guideposts to help them live appropriately.

Moses received this law from God on Mt. Sinai. As a result of Moses’ interaction with the Almighty his face was glowing so brightly that the Israelites were unable to look at him. As a result of Moses being in the presence of God, his appearance was altered. Because the people of Israel could not look at him, Moses wore a veil.

The veil did two things. First, it served as a reminder that mankind cannot look at, or stand in, the presence of God. We cannot fathom in this life what it would mean to be exposed to the full radiant glory of God. Moses face, after being exposed to just a portion of the glory of God, acted like a mirror, reflecting that glory for all to see. It was stunning to the point it was terrifying. That is part of the reason Moses wore a veil.

Second, the veil acted as a reminder of God’s holiness. The Ten Commandments, received by Moses at Mt. Sinai, were the litmus test, and served as a reminder of God’s holiness and the sinfulness of mankind. The fledgling nation that the Israelites would be starting was one that was to be markedly different than those nations already in the Promised Land. Moses’ veil served as a reminder that the One who gave them the law was holy and full of glory, and they were unable to stand in the face of His glory.

The 21st Century Veil

Paul states in 2 Cor. 3 that at the moment of salvation the veil is removed. However, for most American Christians, we wear that veil without even realizing it. Wearing a veil diminishes our impact for Christ Wearing a veil dims the glory of God in our lives. So, what are some ways that we reapply the veil? When we shy away from difficult conversations, fail to bring up our faith, “laugh it off” when someone makes a joke about Christianity. We veil our faith, many times, unintentionally. Christians have been trained for the last couple decades to prioritize the comfort of those around us over being outspoken and ardent about our faith.

In the late 1970’s, and into the 1980’s, Jerry Falwell Sr. was instrumental in a group called the “Moral Majority.” The group was a driving force in Washington D.C. and held closely the ear of President Reagan. By the end of the 80’s the Moral Majority had all but dissolved. With their dissolution, a vacuum was created that allowed for the once powerful voice of Christian ethics to be drowned out and outshouted by the voice of choice, acceptance, and tolerance.

In a society that tolerates, and in many cases, celebrates beliefs, actions, and ideals that are antithetical to Scripture, many Christians veil their faces, and in so doing, stifle their impact for the Kingdom of God. While I’m sure there are a lot of reasons for this, it is inexcusable. We are called to be salt and light to this dark and dying world. We cannot be salt and light while veiling the glory of God.

Living With Unveiled Faces

If we are to live our lives in a way that radiates the glory of God for all around us to see, and I believe that we should, then there some things that we will need to do. First, we need to kill sin. Second, we must speak boldly about what God done in our lives. Third, we must stand ready to face opposition. Let’s look at these in more detail.

There is no way that our lives can bring honor and glory to God if we continue in willful sin and disobedience. In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul writes that we should not let sin reign in our bodies, but that we should present our bodies as “instruments of righteousness” (Rom. 6:13). Therefore, we must put to death any sin in our lives if we are to live with an unveiled face. This is not optional. This is especially difficult for some Christians because of the unfettered access we have to any type of sin. However, we must rely on the grace of God to put our sin to death.

Second, if we are shine the glory of God in our lives, we must, must speak about what God has done in our lives. The New Testament is full of language that talks about the power and grace of God making dead people live. Voddie Baucham, in preaching on Ephesians 2, likens pre-converted people to spiritual zombies. Living, but not alive. Moving, but lifeless. All the appearances of the living, but none of the life in the soul. Then, in Ephesians 2:4 there are two pivotal words, “But God…” We who are in Christ were dead in our sins, but God made us alive through Christ.

Dead people brought to life have an amazing story to tell. Because of this, we must not be silent about what God has done in our lives. Showcasing the power of God through a life changed and being lived to honor Him is the only reasonable thing we can do.

Third, we stand ready to bear any ridicule or evil that befalls us for sharing our faith. The Apostle Paul is the best evidence against the prosperity gospel that teaches that if you put your faith in God you will have good health, no financial burdens, and your relationships will be good. Paul’s life is filled with pain, suffering, poverty, imprisonment, and strained relationships. If we are going to live with unveiled faces, if we are going to speak openly and boldly about what God has done in our lives, if we are going to live in opposition to the things of this world then we must recognize that this world will stand in opposition to us.

We have been seeing an increasing hostility toward Christianity over the last few years. Coincidentally, this shift aligns closely to the shift away from the Moral Majority. Where the people of God are silent the voices of this world are all that can be heard. What are the voices of this world? The voices of this world are greed, envy, lust, fornication, and all manner of sins that would construct a wall between the Creator and His creation. This hostility is seen in lawsuits against Christian business owners, in the secularization of the church, and in the growing boldness of a society to shun and attempt to refute Christianity. This type of hostility is not seen in regards to Islam, Buddhism, Hindu, or any other religion. This is because Mohammad, Buddha, Krishna, and all the other gods, or prophets of gods, lie silently in their graves. Christianity is the only “religion” that worships a holy, living God. If we are going to proclaim the truths of Christianity in a world that is opposed to the basic tenets of the Bible then we must stand ready to face opposition.