2 Corinthians 3:4-11 (NRSV)
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Verse 4Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Verse 5Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God,
Verse 6who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Verse 7Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stone tablets, came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses' face because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, Verse 8how much more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? Verse 9For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! Verse 10Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory; Verse 11for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory!
Devotion
If we lack self-confidence, we can find many books in the self-help section of our local bookstore. If we want to be more confident in our life of faith and service, I encourage you to read this portion of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian congregation. Paul declares that the basis of our confidence is that God made us competent ministers of a new covenant that God made with us through Jesus. We don’t have to rely on our own eloquence, skill or ability to be perfect as God’s ministers. We “minister” because God loves us, gives us the Holy Spirit and enables us to be bold in being vessels of God’s love. Ours is a ministry of the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Ours is a life of faith and service in which we participate in God’s covenant with us as we travel the roads on which God leads us.
Prayer
Giving God, may we give to others the love you have first given us. Amen.