SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 3
BIBLE VERSES:
“You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3:3)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
The Jewish faction at Corinth said that Paul was not a true apostle because he did not have letter of commendation from the church at Jerusalem. This lack of credentials had discredited Paul. So Paul gave the contrast between the Gospel of grace and the Law of Moses:
GOSPEL OF GRACE:
- It is written on hearts (v. 3) – God wrote His words in our hearts that dwells internally with the Spirit of God.
- It brings life (5) – The New Covenant is of grace that gives life through the Spirit.
- It has lasting glory (v. 11) – The Gospel has abounding glory with the ministry of righteousness which will never fade.
- It is Unveiled (v. 13, 18) – Whoever turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Our unveiled face will reflect the Lord’s glory which are being transformed into his likeness ever-increasing glory which comes from the Spirit of the lord.
- There is freedom (v. 17) – The New Covenant is a ministry of glorious liberty in Christ. This liberty is freedom from fear, sin, the world, legatistic and religious practices. Christians are no longer in bondage because we can come into His presence and enjoy His glory and grace.
LAW OF MOSES:
- It is written on stones (v. 3) – God’s laws was given to Moses on stones. The law was external. It would fade and could never change man’s life.
- It brings death (v. 6) – The “letter” referred in the Old Testament was never given to impart life. It is to bring condemnation and death. No man was ever saved through the Law.
- Its glory will fade (v. 7) – There was glory to the Old Testament ministry. Glory filled the temple. Glory were reflected in Moses’ face when he entered into God’s presence. But the radiance faded away.
- It is veiled – Moses put a veil on his face to keep the Israelites from gazing it. There is still a veil in over the heads of the Jews when they read the Old Testament and this veil keep them from seeing Christ.
- It is a bondage (v. 17) – The Old Covenant was a covenant of work and bondage. their merit is based upon the works they do. They are tied up with rules and ceremonies which they have to observe and follow.
THOUGHTS:
- Trying to be saved by keeping the Old Testament laws will lead in death. Only by believing in the Lord Jesus christ through his grace can a man receive eternal life through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives hew life to all who believes in Christ.
- When anyone becomes a Christian, the veil is stripped off with freedom from bondage from sin and condemnation. Our burden is removed and guilt erased with the Spirit of the Lord that lives within us.