The Way - Day 081 (2 Corinthians 3)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
2 Corinthians 3
The false teachers, who had been vigorously attacking Paul's apostolic authority, brought into question his legitimacy as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many parts of Paul's letter to the church at Corinth formed his defense against these unnecessary onslaughts.  Although the Corinthian people had no reason to question Paul's authority, he sarcastically asked them if he should reintroduce himself or present them with the appropriate documents to prove his position (3:1).  Ultimately, the only documentation Paul needed to prove his authority to preach the gospel was not written on a piece of paper, but on the lives of those who had been changed through his preaching and ministry amongst the Corinthians (3:2-3).  This change, which was evident in the church of Corinth, had not been accomplished in Paul's own strength, but with the power of God working through him (3:4-5).
 
Not only did Paul's dependence on the power of God separate him from the false teachers, but also his message.  The false teachers had deceived the people into thinking that forgiveness could be received through obedience to the Law of Moses, but Paul's message was of the new covenant, which was that Jesus Christ provided forgiveness through His sacrificial death on the cross (3:6).  The Law of Moses only exposed a person's utter sinfulness, but the new covenant gave life and forgiveness through the spirit of God who entered into those who believed in Jesus Christ as the payment for sin (3:7-11).  In comparison, the Law of Moses brought death, but the new covenant which was preached by Paul brought righteousness (3:9).
 
The new covenant brought hope and boldness to the ministry of Paul (3:12).  As a part of the old covenant, Moses did not possess the boldness realized in the time of Paul because the new covenant had not yet been revealed (3:13).  The old covenant consisted of symbols, types, and mystery while the new covenant (forgiveness through the death of Jesus Christ) brought understanding of God’s plan to save mankind from sin (3:14-16).  Then when forgiveness is received through belief in Jesus Christ, a person gains freedom from sin and the demands of the law (3:17) and the Spirit begins the work of transformation (3:18).  This was the message of Paul.

Dear God, bring transformation through the Spirit in my life.