DAY #267: 2 Corinthians 3:6-4:7

Paul recalled the stone tablets on which God had written the old covenant. He identified the law, although lethal, as nonetheless glorious because it is God’s provision and proof of his intervention in the life of his people. But that which was summarized on stone is nowhere near as glorious as what is yet to come. The Spirit creates a new life in us.

He is the Holy Spirit who was present at the creation of the world as one of the agents in the origin of life itself (Genesis 1:2). He is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian and the one who helps us live the Christian life.

Paul used the story of the giving of the Ten Commandments to illustrate the difference between his ministry and the ministry of Moses. The story can be found in Exodus 34:29-35. After receiving the Ten Commandments written by God himself, Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the tablets. Although Moses did not realize it, his face shone with the glory of God. When Moses returned to the Israelite camp, the people saw his radiant face and were afraid to approach him.

Moses called the people to gather around him so he could tell them all that God had commanded them to do, so he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses would enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle to be in the Lord’s presence, he would take the veil off his face to speak with God. Then, he would stand before the people with his face uncovered and tell them what God had commanded. After he finished speaking, Moses would once again slip the veil over his face.

Paul seized Moses’ habit of putting a veil over his face and then taking it off as a symbol of the difference between the old and new covenants. The old system of law etched in stone brought condemnation because it pointed out sin and its tragic consequence: death. In contrast, the new covenant brings life through the Holy Spirit.

This was more glorious—literally, reflecting more of the brilliance of God—than the law. To make his point even more forceful, Paul described the glory of Moses’ face as a fading glory. Paul saw this fading glory as another sign of the temporary nature of the old covenant.

The old covenant could give only condemnation, but the new covenant can make people right with God. Paul’s letter to the Romans explains in detail how the old covenant brings condemnation.

The law carries a verdict of guilty because it points out sin in people’s lives (Romans 3:19-20; 5:12-13). No one is righteous before God (Romans 3:10). But God mercifully gives his own righteousness to those who believe in his Son (Romans 5:17). This way, all those who believe in Jesus are declared right with God (Romans 3:20-22).

In his letter to the Romans, Paul focused on why the Jews had rejected Jesus, to whom all of the Scriptures (the Old Testament) pointed. Jesus was Israel’s Messiah, the person who fulfilled God’s promises to Israel. The Jews, if anyone, should be rejoicing. Instead, their minds were hardened to what was occurring. It was as if a veil were covering their minds so that they could not understand the truth.

This veil kept many Jews from understanding the references to Christ in the Scriptures they heard every week.

Whenever anyone turns to the Lord and becomes a Christian, Christ removes the veil, giving that person not only understanding of the true meaning of the Scriptures but also eternal life and freedom from trying to be saved by keeping laws. Christ saves the person not only from sin but from the ignorance that his or her sin has created.

Finaaly, Paul speaks to the methods and motives of his preaching. Paul categorically denied using any dubious techniques in his preaching. He and his fellow evangelists had rejected all shameful and underhanded methods.

Paul had rejected deceptive and cunning ways when he preached to the Corinthians. He had “walked” by faith instead of placing his trust in the ingenious, deceptive ways of the world. When he preached the truths of God’s word, he reminded himself that he was preaching it before God. He stood in the presence of God. The Lord God, the One who knows all secrets, could look into Paul’s heart and discern his motives. Because God was always watching him, Paul was careful to preach for the right reasons. He consciously submitted his motivations to God’s scrutiny, so that no shameful act or motive could disqualify him as a minister. Paul opened up his entire life and honestly told the Corinthians the truth. He hid nothing.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

There are several things that shout out to me in today's passage. 1) The glow of God that was upon the face of Moses when he met with God. While that glow/glory faded in time, it makes me think of my life. When I meet with God, is there a glow of God in my countenance? Is there a difference in my mind-set? My demeanor? My outlook on the day? Oh Lord, when I am in Your presence, when i have spent time with You - change me, do a work in me, make my heart glad.

"A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." Proverbs 15:13 (ASV)

Another way that God spoke to me this morning was about the issue of seeing people come to faith in Christ. The new life that they experience.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

I think about the responsiblity we have as a church to come alongside of these folks and walk with them and encourage them and disciple them. Let me ask you this morning - who are you investing your life in? Who are you coming alonside of to encourage and help grow spirtually?

Let me remind you of the command found in 2 Timothy 2:2. Paul is speaking to Timothy, his disciple. Paul says...

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."