The message of God’s glory is the saving message of the gospel. The law is His glory to condemn the sinner, demanding PERFECTION equal to His character. But, in the GOSPEL, He sets forth Christ crucified for sinners, so that He gives us life eternal, perpetually cleansing and pardoning us, being faithful in love, in spite of our sins.
Paul commends himself to the Corinthians, not by letters of their approval, but by the fact they know Christ through his teaching. He is God’s instrument in the new covenant, used to preach Christ in love. He, like all God-sent preachers is graced by God, so that he is the “able minister of the new covenant” - “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (vs1-6)
The law’s glory is done away. It is good to tell men of God’s standard and promise them wrath for not repenting, but the gospel’s glory is so far greater than the law, that it is like the sun to the moon, so that once risen, the other cannot be seen - “But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.” (vs7-11)
We approach God and live with Him, not by what I deserve by my promises and merit, but by what God has promised and Christ has earned for me. And, this gospel of a “top down” God saving sinners is so hopeful that we use great plainness of speech. If we tried to manipulate men and hide the truth, it wouldn’t help. But, we openly preach mercy to sinners because God uses mercy preached to bestow mercy and change people, manifestly revealing them as His, approved of and saved by Christ - “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished” (vs12-13).
The law’s glory is hidden by preachers, and Satan strives to assure men they aren’t as bad as scripture says… that God can be appeased by their best efforts. Yet, this VEILING of the law’s glory only shuts the door, so that people can’t trust Christ. As long as you think yourself anything more than hell-deserving and helpless, you will not turn to Christ. But, when you do turn, then He will receive you, no matter the past - “But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. “ (vs13-16)
The gospel’s glory isn’t merely God, but it is also God revealing Himself in a changing way, so that as we see Him gracious in Christ, we’re changed into His likeness. As we see Him GIVING us eternal life, we become gracious people. As He FREELY forgives, just by receiving the GIFT of eternal life, we become forgivers and lovers of men - “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Cor 3:17-4:2)
The law’s glory is hidden by preachers, and Satan strives to assure men they aren’t as bad as scripture says… that God can be appeased by their best efforts. Yet, this VEILING of the law’s glory only shuts the door, so that people can’t trust Christ. As long as you think yourself anything more than hell-deserving and helpless, you will not turn to Christ. But, when you do turn, then He will receive you, no matter the past - “But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. “ (vs13-16)
The gospel’s glory isn’t merely God, but it is also God revealing Himself in a changing way, so that as we see Him gracious in Christ, we’re changed into His likeness. As we see Him GIVING us eternal life, we become gracious people. As He FREELY forgives, just by receiving the GIFT of eternal life, we become forgivers and lovers of men - “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Cor 3:17-4:2)
The gospel’s glory is Jesus Christ Himself who saves us by the Spirit, conforming us into His wonderful image. We’re made faithful, manifesting ourselves as of God by what and how we preach, by the impact of holiness visible.
Which covenant are you under? Are you under the gospel that gives you life, makes you righteous, and blesses you repeatedly and eternally? Or, are you under the law, cursed of God, with no way out except the Savior?
Which covenant are you under? Are you under the gospel that gives you life, makes you righteous, and blesses you repeatedly and eternally? Or, are you under the law, cursed of God, with no way out except the Savior?
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