Reflecting Not Refraining: Embracing Transformation Through Christ

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Pastor Alex Jordan preching on Reflecting Not Refraining — Watch Pastor Alex Jordan's sermon "Reflecting, Not Refraining" on YouTube.

Procrastination. Putting things off. Finding distractions that feel productive but only delay what needs to be done. Sound familiar? With a baby on the way, I’ve found myself facing a long to-do list, knowing full well that no one ever feels fully ready for such a big life change.

But what if our tendency to refrain, to hold back, extends beyond chores and tasks? What if we’re refraining spiritually, avoiding the deeper work God is calling us to?

Reflecting, Not Refraining - The Context of 2 Corinthians 3

Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians addresses a community struggling with division and slander. Instead of simply defending himself, Paul calls the believers to reflect on their lives in Christ. He contrasts the old covenant, represented by Moses and the law, with the new covenant of transformation through Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (CSB) says:

"Since we have such a hope, we act with great boldness. We are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from gazing steadily until the end of the glory of what was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ... Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit."

The Veil: A Symbol of Separation

When Moses descended from Mount Sinai, his face shone with God’s glory. The Israelites, overwhelmed and afraid, insisted he cover his face with a veil (Exodus 34:29-35). That veil became a symbol of separation—a boundary between humanity and God’s presence.

Similarly, we often place veils over our own hearts. Whether it’s fear, pride, or stubbornness, these barriers prevent us from truly experiencing the freedom Jesus offers.

But through Christ, the veil is removed.

Reflecting vs. Refraining

Following Jesus isn’t about simply refraining from sin. It’s about reflecting His glory. The old covenant imposed a set of external rules; the new covenant implants a transformed heart.

Refraining is limiting. It’s about checking off the boxes and avoiding wrongdoing.
Reflecting is limitless. It’s about being changed from within and living out the mercy, love, and justice of Jesus.

“A life of refrain is limiting; a life of reflection is limitless.”

Examining Our Own Veils

What are the veils we put up that prevent us from reflecting Jesus?

Wishful Thinking: Living in a delusion of how life could be rather than accepting God’s plan.
Prejudice: Bending scripture to justify our own views instead of seeking God’s truth.
Disobedience: Choosing our way over God’s guidance.
Pride & Rebellion: Refusing to see our own faults and resisting change.

We become what we gaze at. When we focus on Christ, we reflect His glory. But when we fixate on worldly desires or our own self-righteousness, we lose sight of God’s transformative power.

Removing the Veil

In John 14:12, Jesus says:

"Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these."

This promise is not for those who merely refrain from sin but for those who actively reflect Christ. Just as Paul urges us to live with unveiled faces, we’re called to remove the barriers that prevent us from experiencing God’s presence.

Practical Reflection

Think of a relationship in your life. Much like how a lack of quality time in a relationship leads to misunderstandings and hurt feelings, a lack of time with God causes us to grow distant. Our reflection of Him dims.