devotional post # 2158

2 Corinthians 3:3-6

2 Cor 3:4 We have confidence like this before God because of who Christ is.
2 Cor 3:5 Not because we are adequate in ourselves to even imagine anything from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
2 Cor 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not enacted by what is written but by the Spirit; because the letter is killing people, but the Spirit is giving them life.

Spirit given confidence

Paul and his missionary team have learned that their adequacy to do what needs to be done to serve under the new covenant comes from who Christ is. Christ has given them the Holy Spirit (pneuma) which is bringing life through the gospel. He is much more powerful than the laws that are written (gramma), which are only killing people. This Holy Spirit gives them confidence for any ministry Christ calls them to do.

LORD, thank you for our confidence in Christ.