A New Hope

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:7–11

7 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, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

In today’s verses, Paul contrasts the ministry of condemnation vs. the ministry of righteousness. A better way to understand this is the Ministry of the Law vs. the Ministry of Faith.

The law showed us the right way to live. It gave us the rules and regulations to obey and honor God. The problem is not with the law, but with us. While we know what sin is, we cannot will ourselves to be sinless.

That is the rub. The Law revealed sin but could not rescue sinners.

But thanks be to God for the ministry of righteousness that comes through Jesus. In this new era, we live with an understanding of sin, not simply because we are given a rule book, but because we are given the Holy Spirit that teaches, corrects, and helps! The law was only able to condemn. Through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, not only can we be rescued from sins committed, but we are also equipped to combat the sin that tempts us.

Reflect on whether your relationship with God feels driven more by guilt and fear (remnants of the law) or by freedom and transformation (effects of the Holy Spirit).