Saturday, July 31, 2010
SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Corinthians 3:4-18
KEY VERSE: He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor. 3:6).
Divine Enablement
Writing to the Corinth church, Paul surely had in mind the Old Testament prophets. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel foretold a new day when hearts would be radically changed, transformed from cold stony hearts engraved with the letter of the Law, to hearts of flesh beating in unison with God's. That day arrived with a new covenant sealed by the coming of the Holy Spirit.
What the letter of the Law could not bring about-changed hearts-the Spirit is sufficient to complete. What those living under law were not able to do-live up to the righteous standards of God-the Spirit now enables. It is literally a conversion from death to life. By the letter, we are judged, found wanting, and condemned. But those living empowered by the Spirit are free of condemnation and enabled to live by the indwelling Spirit of God.
I cannot by my best efforts live up to the righteous standard of the Law. I stand condemned by the very Law I seek to honor. Nevertheless, the Spirit enables and makes me sufficient for the task. Therefore, in being released, set free from condemnation, and being Spirit-empowered, I have been given life! |
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- Gary Shank
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Reflecting God
"Devotions for Holy Living"
Kansas City, Missouri
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
