Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Paul uses a few contrasts here to distinguish between the Old Testament time and New Testament time:

First is the ministry that brought death as opposed to the ministry of the Spirit. The Old Testament law focuses on the mortal body, what cannot be eaten and what should not be done. It requires outward submission. Although outward submission can draw us close to God, it cannot save us. Paul in Colossians 2:23 says, "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Hence this is a ministry that brought death. When we come to the new Testament era, we no longer depend on the outward submission to the law, but we depend on the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside. This is the ministry of the Spirit.

Next is the ministry that condemns versus the ministry that brings righteousness. The Old Testament law was so that people could see their own sins. Since it does not bring about salvation, the knowledge of sin only brings condemnation. When the New Testament era came, we no longer live under the condemnation of the law, but because of the blood of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we may be deemed righteous because of Christ.

The third contrast is the fading glory versus the glory which lasts. Although the law cannot save, after God gave Moses the commandments, Moses face was shining with glory when he came down from Mount Sinai. The Israelites could not bear to look at him directly. If there is so much glory in a ministry that is fading away, how much more glorious is the ministry of the spirit?

We are indeed people saved by grace. We are so unworthy to be a part of God's eternal plan, to enter into the Holy of Holies, to gaze upon His beauty, and to enjoy His presence. This was something that we cannot imagine during the Old Testament time. Today we are able to live in God's grace, not because we are worth, but because of God's grace. God brought us into His glory and because of what He has done in our lives, He is glorified!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you because the life we have in you is one that is filled with grace and glory. We ask you once again to open our eyes to see how precious our salvation is. Help us to live each day for you. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!