2 Corinthians_3

Scripture:  2 Corinthians 3:17-18  17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Observation:  In 1 Corinthians, Paul was dealing with a division among the members of the Corinthian church.  There were members at odds with each other over which teaching of the gospel was correct. In this second letter, the division seems to have gone from bad to worse for a period of time.  In chapter three, Paul writes in defense of the new covenant. He compares the old covenant and the new, the covenant of Moses with the covenant of Christ, striking an imagery of things written on stone (covenant of Moses, and the ten commandments) and things written on the heart (covenant of Christ).  We see a contrast of promises that are dead, to promises that are alive. Paul proclaims that we have freedom and life in the covenant of Christ, who freed us from the bondage of the law.   Understanding:  One of my favorite rides at the magic kingdom is Pirates of the Carribean.  While it’s all in jest, at the beginning of the ride you are warned of what is to come and advised to abandon hope.  "Psst! Avast there! It be too late to alter course, mateys...and there be plundering pirates lurking in every cove, waitin' to board. Sit closer together, and keep your ruddy hands inboard. That be the best way to repel boarders. And mark well me words, mateys...dead men tell no tales!"  Compare this with another boat ride. At the turn of the century (twentieth century that is), as boat loads of people were making their way to New York seeking a new life. One of the first things they see is the shimmering (at the time) Statue of Liberty. A promise of hope for change and freedom. In Christ we get the same opportunity.  We take a boat ride down the way of the world, we see no other warning sign except to abandon hope, especially when times get tough.  But, when we accept the gift of the gospel, we are offered freedom. Freedom from chaos, and worry, anxiety, fear. We know, from the many witnesses that have come before us, that there is hope unending in Christ.  Scripture tells us, don’t be anxious (Philippians 4:6), we have hope unlike the world (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14), God will take our worries (1 Peter 5:6-11). God is the beginning of all things and the end of all things, only in Him is there hope.  So abandon all fear, all ye who enter here.
Life Application:  Jesus, even though there is temptation, let me not lose sight of your goodness and grace.  Have your love flow through me in this time of need. Help me to be generous in the face of chaos.  Most of all, thank you for the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

-Tyler Galloway