The Spirit Gives Life...

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 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 3:1-6

Warren Wiersbe says that the Corinthian believers were lovingly written on Paul’s heart, and the Spirit of God had written the truth on their hearts, making them “an epistle of Christ.”

Who in your own life have you labored among whose lives now reflect the law of Christ written on their hearts?  For me, the answer is my children.  Truly, as the apostle John says, there is no greater joy than to see your children walk in truth.  When I receive compliments in this regard, my first response is joy...my second response is discomfort.  Even the intimation that I had anything to do with their “goodness” or their salvation makes me cringe.  I KNOW with absolute heart knowledge that it was ALL of God.  Anything good...any fruit in my life is by Jesus Christ.  He did the work.  All glory belongs to Him and Him alone.  The justified live by faith...wholly and utterly dependent on the power of His Spirit in their hearts and in their lives.  My sufficiency is from Him.  Without Him, I am helpless and hopeless and can truly do nothing good.  

On Shining As Lights...

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18

Under the old covenant, only Moses was permitted to ascend the mountain and have communion with God. Under the new covenant all who believe can have fellowship with Him. We can now come boldly to His throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. No mountain climbing needed.  As it says in Romans 10:

the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

And in Hebrews....

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.—Hebrews 10:19-23

When Moses came down from Mt Sinai, he did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been speaking with God.  Moses “reflected” the glory of God, but the light of His unfading glory can shine through us, because His Spirit dwells in us!  We are His light-bearers!  He shines in our hearts to give those around us the light of the knowledge of God!   Beloved, gaze deeply into the mirror of His word, allowing the Spirit of God to transform you moment by moment into His image.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.—Matthew 5:14-16