Keeping the spirit of the Covenant
2 Corinthians 3:1-11 Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 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.
The Greater Glory of the New Covenant
7 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, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
When was the last time you thought about covenants? A covenant, very simply, is an agreement, sometimes between two people, or perhaps between two nations, or in theology it is generally between God and man.
One of the primary problems with the Pharisees was their insistence on performing to the letter of the law, but Jesus, the ultimate teacher, often explained the godly meaning of a covenant by saying, “You have heard it said…but I say…”. Jesus was trying to teach these learned men that there was more to the law than the letter of the law. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said, 2 Cor 3:9 said, “If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness”.
As a pastor, I would never officiate a marriage if a couple insisted the vows be changed from, “…as long as we both shall live,” to “…as long as we both shall love.” Such a vow would negate the intimate, transformative, replicative nature of Jesus’ covenant to His bride to one that is temporary in nature and thus not holy at all.
Likewise, I would not even attempt to influence a couple to continue a marriage where the husband Insisted that his rights superseded those of his wife, mistakenly believing that submission is blind compliance to unreasonable expectations instead of a spirit led and spirit shaped agreement to live according to God’s design. Instead, I would counsel the couple to spend time in prayer and Bible reading, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal His plan for a godly marriage.
May we, as we consider the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, ensure that our motives are pure and Christlike.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Not Wanting any to Perish
2 Peter 3:9-12 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
Promises, promises. We normally think of promises as something good where we wait with eager anticipation for a soon coming event.
But Peter’s take on a promise isn’t one of birthdays or kittens. Instead, Peter references God’s promises of a new kingdom and earth, carried with it the implicit destruction of this present age.
What has slowed the coming of this new kingdom? I am convinced we are living in God’s grace, for it is not His wish that any should perish. So if we long to see the face of our Lord and Savior, the best thing to do is spread the gospel far and wide, living holy and godly lives until Jests returns again.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Singing Praises
Psalms 104:33-35 (NIV) 33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.
35 But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
Praise the LORD.
As I write today’s devotional, I am listening in the background to singers Nicole Mullins and CeCe Wynans. Our instruction for today is to praise the Lord as long as we live. It may not always be easy to praise our Savior, oh, but it is always necessary.
Psalm 134 is the final hymn in the song of ascents as the pilgrims reach the temple. The lyrics begin with a commitment to sing praises to the Lord for life. Rejoicing is an act of the will and it is an act of worship. And may I remind you that every act of praise is not only a response to God’s great love, but it is also a vital part of our worship. .
The conclusion is the desire for every evil creature to be banished. But the reality is that we must trust in the Lord Jesus so supremely that regardless of what is going on around us we must learn and practice trust and love toward our God and mercy for those who would destroy us.
May we be quick to forgive and quick to offer restoration,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Encourage One Another
Romans 1:8-17 (NIV) 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed —a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Have I talked to you lately about the importance of reading God’s Word out loud. You see, faith will actually grow at the hearing God’s Word. I believe that just like any parent, God loves to hear His children speak His words back to Him. It is a way to show you are listening, and it is a way to honor God.
Do you want to live by faith? Then stay in the Word daily, luxuriating in the presence of God. Put God first in all of your relationships and in all of your endeavors.
Additionally, there are many prayers we can pray out loud. Why would this be necessary? Sometimes we are at a loss to know how to pray for a specific need. Just pray a prayer found in the Word out loud, substituting yours or a loved one’s name. You may be surprised how effective this is.
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May we be aware as we search out God’s Word the impact it will make in our lives and the lives of those around us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Redemption and Adoption
Isaiah 43:1-3 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
How often do we go through life unaware that we have been given kingdom power? We have authority that comes straight from the Throne of God and purchased by the blood of Jesus.
What does this authority accomplish? When we recognize we have Kingdom authority and when we speak it boldly. we are no longer under the threat of any enemy. Instead, we are victorious as we claim the power granted to us in Jesus’ name.
May we claim with authority the name of Jesus, at which every knee will bow and every tongue confess.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 