1 Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! 2 The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our[a] hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. 3 Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.
4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
The Glory of the New Covenant
7 The old way,[b] with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Footnotes:
a. 2 Corinthians 3:2 Some manuscripts read your.
b. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Or ministry; also in 3:8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
3 comments:
Lots of good verses in here. The last is truly amazing
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Imagine that, He is miking us more and more like Him.
Father God,
let us relect You in all that we do. May all of our actions and attitudes honor you today.
In Christ,
cas
Hello everyone...
i am back posting...i moved to Washington DC and unfortunately it has take me almost two months to get back into the swing of things. in the past few months, i have gotten married, moved, started a new job. it's been fun yet challenging.
the first verse stood out to me...i am guilty here...i am too selfish and often dont think about others. i want the praise instead of giving it to others. last week i changed my screen saver to read "positively impact others". it reminds me that i should be thinking of others, praising them, and not worrying about how much praise i receive. this is hard for me. even when i dont intend it, i find myself being self absorbed as opposed to praising God and positively impacting others.
I hope you guys are all doing well. it is nice to be back on the Bible blog!
Father, I praise you for these men and this time i have to learn about you. YOu are my judge, you are the one i need to concern myself with. Father, i want to do right by you, not by world's standards. Thank you, Lord, for unveiling yourself to us. Amen.
2 Cor 3
timmcd6 - good to have you back. Congrats. I hope that first and foremost you are learning from the beginning that you should do all those things with/for your wife. We are selfish, and there is no other relationship where that comes out more. At least for me, that is.
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
I grabbed the same verse as cas. I am thankful that Christ picked me and removed my veil so that I could see him. Nothing I have done made me deserve this, and nothing I have done should motivate Him to want to change me and make me more like Him.
Father - I am a selfish sinner and I too put myself before others. Help me to remain humble and to be like soft clay, that you may mold me like you wish. In christ's name, jmb
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