“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” ~ 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, NKJV
Under the influence of false teachers, the Corinthians had been questioning Paul's authority and his message. Paul counters these attacks, but takes care not to curb any suggestions that his accomplishments are of him rather than of God. Paul and his fellow workers never considered themselves sufficient for their callings. Anything good that they did they accredited totally to the Lord, who “made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant.” (vs. 6) This new covenant - our salvation in Christ - is not of the letter, but of the Spirit. The letter (the regulations and rituals contained in the law) killed, because no sinful human being can ever hope to keep the law in its entirety. Though the old covenant was good, though the law was in and of itself good, and though the ministry of the old covenant had glory, it was still to us a ministry of condemnation and death. (Vs. 7, 9) We can't keep the law. We can only work judgment for ourselves. The Spirit, on the other hand - the ministry of righteousness (vs. 9) - gives life! The Spirit comes to us through Christ, who fulfilled the law and then took our judgment upon Himself. Christ was sufficient. The ministry of the Spirit, who indwells each believer, is to supply God's children with His Son's sufficiency. We reap the benefits of His sacrifice and find life for ourselves through His incredible grace. In Christ, I don't have to struggle to bear up under the letter anymore. The law has been replaced by the Spirit, who gives me a new nature of righteousness that is energized by God Himself! My insufficiency is no longer relevant. I have God's overflowing sufficiency, and He fills me with life and peace.
by Rebecca...
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