Ministers of the New Covenant

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,^[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.^[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

(ESV)

 

Jesus gave the Church a clear mission, to spread the good news (gospel) of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity and to make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), by the grace of God and not one’s efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unfortunately, many churches have gone to the two extremes of liberalism and legalism in attempting to conduct this mission. In this text, Paul speaks of being ministers of the new covenant which brings balance to these two extremes.

 

Paul begins the text by asking the Corinthians if he is beginning to commend himself again or seeking letters of recommendation from them (2 Corinthians 3:1). The answer is no for the Corinthians are themselves a letter of recommendation written on human hearts and not with ink (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). Paul’s confidence is not from boasting in his abilities but sufficiency coming from God through a new covenant, not of the letter which kills but of the Spirit giving eternal life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).

 

Not to diminish the covenant of the law which came with glory because the Israelites could not look upon the face of Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7). However, the New Covenant has even greater glory for its glory is not one of condemnation but of righteousness for Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (2 Corinthians 3:8-9; John 3:17). The temporary glory of the covenant of the law is now surpassed by with the permanent glory of righteousness in Christ which is permanent (2 Corinthians 3:10-11).

 

The boldness of Paul comes from the glory of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:12). However, instead of Paul putting a veil over his face to hide the glory as Moses did, the Israelites have a veil over their faces, a veil that can only be lifted through Christ (2 Corinthians 3:13-16). The Lord is the Spirit of the New Covenant and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). With unveiled face, we now behold the glory of the Lord and transformation, little by little, into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

 

When Moses descended from Mount Sanai, he had two tablets of stone containing the law (Deuteronomy 9:11). However, it did not take long for the people of God to disobey the law with the people making an idol to worship (Deuteronomy 9:12). The old covenant of the law is a conditional covenant, requiring obedience, something impossible for fallen humanity to do. This is not surprising because Adam and Eve who lived in paradise could not even obey one simple rule (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6).

 

Fortunately for fallen humanity, this text speaks of a better covenant that is not conditional on obedience to a set of laws but the grace of God coming by the life-giving Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). While the law came with the glory of God with the people unable to look upon the face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-33), this new and better covenant comes with even greater glory (2 Corinthians 3:7-8). Paul’s appearance of boasting was not boasting in himself but confidence in the hope provided by the covenant the cross, an unconditional covenant providing salvation to all who believe (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10).

 

The calling of the Church is to minister the New Covenant, a permanent covenant of the Spirit of God leading to eternal life. The Church is more than a social club or self-help group designed to make people feel good. The Church is also not a place where one uses God to get what they want. Instead, The Church is the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27) with a mission to share the Gospel so that one can be born again and have eternal life through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:9-10). The sooner the Church returns to its mission of lifting up Christ (John 3:14-15), the sooner it will become a transformative force in our culture (Acts 17:6).

 

The parable of the prodigal son illustrates the two extremes of the Church (Luke 15:11-32). The younger and rebellious son represents liberal Christianity believing one can continue in sin knowing God’s grace will save them, a belief condemned by the Apostle Paul (Romans 6:1-2). While this son receives most of the focus when studying this parable, the older son represents legalistic Christianity. Legalistic Christianity hangs on to the covenant of the law, believing they can earn their salvation through obedience to the law like the older son, a false belief evidenced by the failures of every person in the Bible except for Jesus Christ. The father in the parable represents the Gospel, extending grace to sinners while encouraging believers to celebrate the return of sinners to God (Luke 15:31-32). If you are reading this post and have never prayed to receive forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to pray with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.