2 Corinthians 3:6
God who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
What of Today’s Verse…
The “letter versus the Spirit” is another contrast between living by the old covenant or by the new. This is another choice that determines whether we are functioning by man’s sufficiency or by God’s.
A life that is being developed “of the letter” is one that is built on rules and regulations. We cannot become a child of God by rules. We cannot develop our lives as God’s children by regulations. No list of demands (including even the law of God itself) could ever bring us, or develop for us, a life with God. All rules and regulations (including God’s law) come without resource. They are a list of requirements, not a supply of adequacy. They call for an observable response. They provide no power to produce the required effect.
Consider circumcision, which was required by the law of God for the Israelites. “And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised” (Lev_12:3). This was to be a sign acting as a reminder to God’s people that they were His. Implementing that regulation did not inherently change the life of any Jew. Physical, external circumcision (that is, circumcision “by the letter”) did not make a change in the heart of the one circumcised. It takes an inner working of God to produce a true child of God (in Romans 2 language, a “true Jew”). “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter.” (Rom_2:28-29). God births His children and develops their lives through a work in their hearts by the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom of heaven is “of the Spirit.” It is not about external “do’s and don’ts” (such as, whether to follow the standard of God’s law concerning certain foods). “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom_14:17). Entrance into God’s family, as well as development as God’s children, does not hinge on following various regulations. Rather, it is about the Holy Spirit supplying heavenly blessings in the hearts of those who trust in the Lord. Life with God is always “of the Spirit” (God’s sufficiency), not “of the letter” (man’s sufficiency).
Let us Pray:
Father, I admit a tendency to reduce life with You to following regulations. Help me to live by the work of Your Spirit within my heart. Through Christ I pray, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Appreciation
I give thanks for the presence of unconditional love.
When I think about the people who have influenced my life, my thoughts may turn to a grandparent. Having a grandparent is a true blessing, and being a grandparent is a great joy.
Whether through biology or family choice, this is a one-of-a-kind relationship. Grandparents share their time and wisdom and instil a sense of stability in the lives of their families.
The love of a grandparent is akin to the unconditional love of God. Just as a child is enfolded in a grandparent’s love, I am enfolded in God’s love, which guides and supports me. Divine love is my anchor, my rock, my assurance of support and protection.
“See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”–1 John 3:1
