2 Corinthians 3:7-11

                                                                 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?  For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.  Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.  For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

The Law that was given to Moses had a purpose in the will and work of God.  It was a glorious purpose and was delivered as a revelation that caused the face of Moses to glow when he received it.  However, as important and glorious as the Law of Moses was, it cannot compare with what Christ did on the cross and in sending the Spirt.  Paul wants to make sure everyone understands that the Law and the Gospel are not on the same level of importance.

 

STONE VS SPIRIT: When the Law was originally given, it was carved out on tablets of stone.  God wrote on the original stone that Moses broke when he discovered the idolatry of the children of Israel.  The second stone was carved out by Moses as dictated by God.  This stone known as the Law was a sacred reminder of the standard of God.  However, man constantly fell short of that standard.  In the Gospel, the Law of God is not written on stone.  Instead, the Gospel writes the Law of God on the hearts of man by the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer.  A chisel carving the Word of God on a stone is significant, but it cannot compare with the Spirit inscribing the Word of God on our hearts.

 

CONDEMNATION VS CONSECRATION: Not only does the means of delivery between the Law and the Gospel beyond comparison; also their purpose are on different levels.  The Law was never intended to be a means of salvation for the nation of Israel or the world.  The purpose of the Law was simply to reveal God’s standard and demonstrate the inability of man to keep that standard.  Failure to keep the Law results in condemnation.  The purpose of the Law was to make man realize his need of salvation.  As important as that may be, the Gospel provides the salvation that is so desperately needed.  As a result of the Gospel man is redeemed from sin, and the righteousness of Christ is credited to his account.  The Spirit indwells the believer who now lives a life of consecration before God and will be welcomed into his presence instead of condemned.  The Law simply points man to his need of the Gospel. 

 

PASSING VS PERMANENT: The final comparison between the Law and the Gospel has to due with duration.  The Law had a purpose in the mission of God to save the world.  However, that purpose is passing away.  The Spirit of God available through the Gospel is permanent.  The Spirit of God will continue to indwell every believer for eternity.  He not only informs us what the will of God is, as the Law also did on a much smaller scale, He also empowers us to be able to accomplish the will of God.

 

APPLICATION: Be thankful for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives each and every day.  Understand that the Spirt of God is working to help us know how God wants us to live our lives and that He is giving us the strength to accomplish that work.  Have hope that the Spirit will continue to do His work in us for eternity long beyond our lives on this earth. 

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