In Exodus 34 we find that as a result of being in close relationship with God, Moses’ face shone to the point where the people were afraid of him. As a result, Moses went around with a veil over his face so that the people could bear his presence.
This was an anomaly, this is something that doesn’t normally happen. There is no other instance in Scripture that I can think of where someone’s face shone after spending time with God.
But should that be an anomaly? Should we not, in some measure, all reflect the glory of God after spending time with him? While it is unlikely that we will need to wear veils to avoid freaking people out, we can indeed reflect God’s glory as a result of our relationship with him.
We reflect God’s glory when we live in the freedom that the Gospel brings to our lives. We are redeemed and forgiven and the closer we are in our relationship with God, the deeper the knowledge of that forgiveness. The deeper knowledge should result in a deeper the impact on our behavior.
We reflect God’s glory when we walk in humble obedience to him. In a sense, using the term humble obedience is a redundancy, because any attempt at obedience without humility would be disobedience.
Historically, Christians have lead the charge with regard to humanitarian effort. Christians have often been a shining example of those who live in community and act for the benefit of others. Christians have faced death rather than compromise their relationships with God.
We reflect God’s glory when we gather to worship him in our local fellowship.
We reflect God’s glory when we respond to the people and situations in which we find ourselves in the same way that Jesus would respond. John tells us that Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). When we respond to our circumstances with both of these traits, we reflect God’s glory.
We should all have shining faces after spending time with God.