2nd Corinthians 3 PERMANENT, NOT PASSING Every act of our lives, every conversation we have, everything that motivates us are like the building blocks of our reputation. What we are known for across the spectrum of the society in which we live is what will commend our words and actions for a long time to come. Paul's teaching, labors in the Gospel and manner of life commended him to those to whom he had brought the Gospel. False teachers came along to Corinth with forged letters of commendation which they thought would give authority to what they taught. Such letters did not authenticate the apostle Paul's authority. His labors in the Gospel and the teaching work he had done in Corinth, those who had been saved by God's grace through his ministry, were his commendation. The authenticity of his work that could not be denied, was the Corinthian believers themselves. They were in his caring heart personally, and were known as believers in Christ publicly.
Believers themselves are the message of Christ to the watching world in every age, and in every place, they are found. The point of a letter of commendation is to assure believers in the area to which they come, of their trustworthiness in the place from which they have come. It does not take long to see beyond the written words to the attitude displayed and the actions taken by a person. If the written words correspond to a "letter' written by one's life lived for the Lord Jesus Christ, that will be easy to see.
The Old Testament imagery of the tables of stone on which the law was written, was something that could be seen externally and met the need of those who demanded credentials. A letter gives statistics for those who are skeptical of the reality of a person's testimony, and in the case of one who speaks publicly, of the that person's right to speak on behalf of the gathered company. Still, that is far inferior as a testimony of one's credentials when compared with the known facts of human hearts that have been changed by the grace of God through the teaching and preaching of a servant of God. A letter has value only to the degree those who sign the letter have the authority to commend the person. Inward changes and changed lives authenticate the ministry given by the power of the Holy Spirit. Results consistently testified to by the power of God cannot be denied as real. We do not have a manual to be filled out as proof of a person's salvation. God makes plain the strength and character of a man's work when that man is dependent upon God alone to accomplish the work to which he has been called.
Genuine conversions to God are able to be seen by those around. We do not need press releases to make public what we think are our accomplishments. The needed character and strength of a work comes from God only. Natural talent that a teacher or preacher may have is limited at best. Truth that is explained so that it can be understood and acted upon, gives life and glory to God rather than that which kills and brings glory to self. There is a great contrast between those whose ministry is based on confidence in God, and the self-confident expressions of those who minister the letter of the law. The law slays us. The spirit of grace that gives life is ministered by the Holy Spirit through those whose competence is in God. The law is a standard but it cannot give life. God's grace ministered on the basis of the new testament changes sinners into living letters of Christ.
The laws of the Old Testament condemn us and point out the reason we are not able to come to God and receive eternal life. Laws cannot justify the sinner, nor can it make us righteous. It does not give us the Holy Spirit or an inheritance in Christ. It doesn't give us new life or freedom. The law condemns us by revealing our guilt. In contrast the new covenant means we have received new life, a spiritual new life, brought about by a new birth by the Holy Spirit. The new covenant of grace means we have been declared righteous permanently because we have been given the righteousness of Christ. Our forgiveness has come through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now our acceptance by God is based on the righteousness imputed to us by the perfection of our sinless Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was an "able minister of the new testament" in that he could make plain to the people the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant. The Judaizers of that day and those who teach grace plus works today, mislead people and impose a bondage, where freedom has been granted.
Holiness was the demand of the law - perfect holiness without exceptions. Its glory was that it revealed God's involvement in the lives of His people. Now the Holy Spirit gives us new life in Christ and empowers us to do what we naturally can't do. We cannot please God in the flesh. Moses had to put a veil on his face so people would not see the fading glory of the law. The law was like a spiritual veil. We do not have to hide behind a veil because we have been brought into liberty given by the Spirit of God and that veil is taken away. Glory should be able to be seen, and should be increasing in the lives of those who are in Christ as they reflect Him as lights in the world. Pride and hardness of heart had kept blindness on the hearts of those who insisted on trying to be keepers of the law in order to be accepted by God. Refusal to repent and trust Christ alone, keeps false teachers, and those who followed them, from understanding the teaching regarding the Lord Jesus Christ in the scriptures.
Salvation and the new nature imparted to those who put their trust in Christ alone, removes the veil from those who could not see the point of the law and the blessings that lie beyond the limits of its ministry. Now we have been given life in Christ so that living human beings made new in Him, reflect Christ. Now we are free from sin and the condemnation it brings, and can enjoy our liberty by the Spirit. Now we are able to reflect the moral glories of Christ and the truth of God. Now we are used by God to be like Christ in the world. By "beholding ... the glory of the Lord," progressive sanctification continues in a believer as an ongoing evidence of the work of the Spirit of God in us.
God intends us to "be conformed to the image of His Son." We are privileged to look on Him by faith and as we mature in Him, our prospect is to be like Him when we shall see Him as He is. The transparent ministry Paul was engaged in that is referred to in the first two chapters of this book, is now a glorious ministry that progresses and exalts the Lord as His people are engaged in this great service for Him. We need to be sure we allow nothing to detract or take away from this ministry because of what other people may say or think.
2 Corinthians 3:16-17. “Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”
LIBERTY. LAW has it’s demands: undeniable – unattainable – unreachable – uncompromising; It kills me because I am me: imperfect – impulsive – impatient – incapable of its perfection. It condemns me – awakens me – challenges me – enlightens me – teaches me – instructs me. The light of the law shows up my darkness: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.”
GRACE has it’s demands: admit my lack of attainment – give up my independence – stop trying to earn what is impossible to earn – accept with humility what God gives – in faith reach out an empty hand to grasp what cost God so much – acknowledge with thanks, the gifts that grace gives, asking nothing in return. Grace is carefully balanced by God. “The law came by Moses. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Liberty comes to me, at high cost to others. I am able to live in freedom paid by a band of brothers, Those who died – and living fathers and mothers – Have paid the price of freedom for me.
The darkness that covered the face of the earth, Was lifted when Christ paid sin’s price with His death. Life has been given, starting with the new birth – Jesus paid the price of freedom for me.
Now I’m a Christian and the Spirit’s within. I grieve Him and quench Him, by giving place to sin. So He too, pays the price for the blessings He brings. The Holy Spirit pays the price of freedom for me.
The load is gone – from its weight I am free. The darkness is gone – now I can see. Father, Son and Spirit have brought full liberty. Thank God, by His grace, I am free!
“O Father in heaven, the Great Source of every blessing: I am living in freedom today and full liberty of those who are bonds servants of Jesus Christ. To many it may seem like a paradox, but to me it removes all uncertainty about the future and give assurance about the present – everything is under control – Thy control. Such liberty keeps life in order and full of meaningful work and service. I give Thee praise and glory for this great liberty, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”