Am I operating from a cluttered OR freed mind.
Observation
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, is often referred to as Second Corinthians (and written as 2 Corinthians), is the eighth book of the New Testament of the Bible. Paul the Apostle and "Timothy our brother" wrote this epistle to "the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia".
Here in chapter 3 verse 1 we see Paul being justifiably annoyed that he would have to explain his apostolic credentials to the church he had founded. We also learn that just as people use résumés today to introduce themselves to a prospective employer, in Paul’s day traveling preachers and evangelists introduced themselves with letters of recommendation from various churches. Paul had written letters of recommendation on behalf of Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2) and Timothy (1 Corinthians 16:10-11). These letters helped Paul’s trusted companions and friends find a welcome in various churches. Apparently, some false teachers had started using letters of recommendation to gain a speaking platform in the Corinthian church (see 11:13-15). These traveling hucksters of the Word of God, as Paul called them (2:17), had come to Corinth with these letters—perhaps authentic, perhaps forged—and were asking the Corinthians to recommend them to other churches.
Here in chapter 3 verses 2-3, this “letter” of Christ had been delivered by Paul and his coworkers; they were messengers for God and his glorious Good News of salvation. It was written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God on the hearts and lives of those who believed. The Holy Spirit, who was working in the Corinthians’ hearts and was a guarantee of the Corinthians’ glorious inheritance in heaven, affirmed the authenticity of Paul’s message. Next, we find Paul comparing this letter from Christ written on the Corinthians’ hearts to the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God on stone. Paul’s point is clear: The signs of the Spirit’s work in a person’s life are superior to any kind of writing, whether it was a church’s recommendation or the law of God etched on stone (see Exodus 31:18). The imagery of writing on human hearts comes from the prophet Ezekiel. This Old Testament prophet had predicted that one day God himself would remove Israel’s heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, a heart that would follow God’s decrees because God himself had written his law on it (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27). Paul was declaring to the Corinthians that the day Ezekiel had predicted had come. The Holy Spirit was writing God’s law on their hearts and changing them on the inside.
Paul did not want to have anything to do with vain boasting - Paul had asked who was competent (or adequate) for the task of preaching the Good News (2:16). In this verse, Paul answered his own question: Only those who are called by God will have power and success. This was a jab or verbal slap to Paul’s opponents in Corinth. They had boasted of their wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 2:1), their eloquence (11:6), their superior Jewish ancestry (11:12), and, as it has become clear in this passage, their letters of recommendation. In contrast, Paul refused to boast in himself. Instead, he boasted in Christ’s strength, which had become evident through his weaknesses (11:30) and the trials he had endured for the cause of Christ.
Verse 6, ends with saying, “God makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not form a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.” Trying to be saved by keeping Old Testament laws will end in death. Only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ can a person receive eternal life through the Holy Spirit. No one but Jesus has ever fulfilled the law perfectly; thus, the whole world is condemned to death. Under the new way, eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Christ.
Questions about the 2 Corinthians 2:1-5
2 Cor 3:5 says, “We don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own.” I’ve studied and received high grades, I’ve worked and earned promotions, I’ve trained and finished triathlons - Why? Don’t I have the right to claim that which I’ve accomplished on my own? I’ve provided security and finances for my family and myself over the last several years - have I not accomplished that on my own?
2 Cor 3:6 says, “Under the new way, eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Christ.” What is the new way? What is the Holy Spirit and how does this spirit provide eternal life as people believe in Christ?
Personal Questions & Thoughts
As I continue to wrestle with a sea of endless questions that tug at both my mind and heart - I reminded of the context and target of Paul’s words. But even there my questions linger.... so I must answer my question with additional questions.
As I ask, “don’t I have the right to claim that which I’ve accomplished on my own?”
Yes and No. Yes, I do have the right to claim that I’ve accomplished things, but ultimately where does my strength to accomplish all that I have come from? Where does the desire come from? How does my mind expand and retain? What do I do to keep my heart beating? How is my life sustained? Not only does God sustain life He take it away - this causes my mindset to expanded beyond myself. So, “don’t I have the right to claim that which I’ve accomplished on my own?” Yes and No - ultimate the source that’s enabled me to accomplish everything found within my created potential / provided by my creator and sustainer of life.
“Under the new way, eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Christ.” What is the new way? What is the Holy Spirit and how does this spirit provide eternal life as people believe in Christ? Freedom is new way. Christ’s death on the cross bought freedom for anyone who believes (1 Corinthians 6:20). He frees us from sin and the condemnation that results from trying to obey the law (Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 3:21-24). He frees us from the fear of death, the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:17-18). Jesus even frees us from the evil powers of the age (Galatians 1:4). Christ frees believers from the same mental veil that covered many of the Jews to whom Paul was preaching (3:14). When we trust Christ to save us, Jesus removes that heavy burden of trying to please him. His light dispels our ignorance, giving us a clear understanding of the gospel. By trusting Christ, we are loved, accepted, forgiven, and freed to live for him. John 14: 26-27 tell us, “the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” The Holy Spirit or God’s spirit provides us with a peace and assurance that Jesus’ provides eternal life. This does not mean that we will not question, but that our questions will have answers through our interactions with God and the Bible.
Just as Moses took off his veil when he went into the Lord’s presence, so too all Christians can behold God’s glory with that veil removed. Unlike the Jews, who had to rely on priests to mediate between them and God, Christians through Christ’s saving work on the cross have direct access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Thus, under the new covenant, all believers can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. In contrast, under the old covenant only Moses had access to the Lord’s presence and thus could reflect his glory. But now all Christians can be like Moses. Thus, when Christians, who are given access to the Father through Christ’s work, look at God’s glory, they begin to reflect his holy character in their lives, becoming more and more like him. As a result of this encounter with God, they are forever changed. The Holy Spirit works through believers’ lives, step by step, helping them come closer to God’s perfect way of living. It occurs little by little as the Holy Spirit points out more areas of our lives that need to be submitted to God’s will; and we, then, freely submit to God. The Holy Spirit works through the preaching of God’s word, the reading of Scripture, our prayer life, and the wise guidance of other mature believers to lead believers on God’s wonderful path of righteousness.
Back to the text as a whole.
The prophet Jeremiah (Old Testament) spoke of a new covenant when God would write his law on his people’s hearts (see 3:2). As verse 6, concludes with saying, “God makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not form a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.” The Law or the old way refers to the Old Testament Scriptures, the summary of the law of Moses or Old Testament Commandments. Paul’s letter to the Romans shows that Paul denied that following the law can achieve salvation. Instead, the law only makes people conscious of their sin, the sin that ultimately leads to death (Romans 2:29; 3:19-20; 6:23; 7:6). Trying to be saved by keeping Old Testament laws will end in death. Only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ can a person receive eternal life through the Holy Spirit. No one but Jesus has ever fulfilled the law perfectly; thus, the whole world is condemned to death. Under the new way, eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Christ.
Prayer
Lord, I need your help on digesting this in multiply ways. “You and the Holy Spirit are one and the same, and it is Your that set me free.” - 2 Corinthians 2:17 CEV. God help me know, live, and embrace the FREEDOM that You offer. I’m finding myself captive in a negative mental game - often beat up by my own judgement and self evaluations. Holy Spirit please lead, guide, and show me the Freedom You offer. Help me, shift to Your ways and let go of old hurtful patterns. Please lead me towards true FREEDOM - a freedom not based on western culture or my personal mindset but a true freedom from you. Give me a beginners mind and teach me how to operate out of freedom verses a cluttered mind. -Trevor
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trevord@nhww.org
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