The Ministry of the Spirit
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.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Co 3:7–18
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The Ministry of the Spirit
The Law kills. It always accuses. Luther said, "The Law demands everything from you and gives you no way to accomplish it." Yet, the ministry of the Law was glory because God had ordained it. The Law is the Word of God that was sent by God to call out a people for himself. So if the ministry of the Law or the ministry of condemnation had glory, what about the levels of glory in the ministry of the Gospel? Luther continued by saying, "But the Gospel requires nothing of your and yet gives you everything." The Gospel is the fulfillment of the Law for you. It is the Lord Jesus taking the punishment on your behalf. It is the Word of God sent to give life and to rescue and to make new. The glory far exceeds everything else. Through Christ your burden is taken away. Through Christ sin is atoned for. Through Christ life is freely given. This is the Love that Christ has for you. He loves having mercy and bestowing glory on you. Thanks be to God!
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Co 3:7–18
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The Ministry of the Spirit
The Law kills. It always accuses. Luther said, "The Law demands everything from you and gives you no way to accomplish it." Yet, the ministry of the Law was glory because God had ordained it. The Law is the Word of God that was sent by God to call out a people for himself. So if the ministry of the Law or the ministry of condemnation had glory, what about the levels of glory in the ministry of the Gospel? Luther continued by saying, "But the Gospel requires nothing of your and yet gives you everything." The Gospel is the fulfillment of the Law for you. It is the Lord Jesus taking the punishment on your behalf. It is the Word of God sent to give life and to rescue and to make new. The glory far exceeds everything else. Through Christ your burden is taken away. Through Christ sin is atoned for. Through Christ life is freely given. This is the Love that Christ has for you. He loves having mercy and bestowing glory on you. Thanks be to God!
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