2 Corinthians 3 -- Obeying Why?

Judaizers had come in, bolstered by recommendations from important people in the Jerusalem church.  "They pointed out that Paul had no such credentials.  It's a sad thing when a person measures his worth by what people say about him instead of what God knows about him ... Paul's life and ministry were the only recommendations needed," my commentary began.  "The legalist can admonish us with his 'Do this!' or 'Don't do that!' but he cannot give us the power to obey ... The test of ministry is changed lives, not press releases or statistics.  It is much easier for the legalist to boast, because he can measure his ministry by external standards.  The believer who patiently ministers by the Spirit of God must leave the results with the Lord... How tragic that the Corinthians followed the boastful Judaizers and broke the heart of the man who had rescued them from judgment!"

"Paul knew that the lost sinner must be slain by the law and left helplessly condemned before he can be saved by God's grace ... Only the grace of God, ministered by the Spirit of God, can transform lost sinners into living epistles that glorify Jesus Christ."

"The person who tries to live under the law will find himself feeling more and more guilty, and this can produce a feeling of hopelessness and rejection.  It is when we trust Christ, and live by faith in God's grace, that we experience acceptance and joy."

"There was a spiritual veil over the minds and hearts of the Jewish people.  Their spiritual eyes were blinded, so that when they read the Old Testament Scriptures, they did not see the truth about their own Messiah.  Even though the Scriptures were read systematically in the synagogues, the Jewish people did not grasp the spiritual message God had given to them.  They were blinded by their own religion."

"Law can bring us to Christ, but only grace can make us like Christ ... Since the Holy Spirit wrote the Word, He can teach it to us.  Even more, because the Spirit lives in us, He can enable us to obey the Word from our hearts.  This is not legal obedience, born of fear, but filial obedience born of love... The Spirit of God writes the Word of God on our hearts, and we obey our Father because of the new life He has given us within."

Father, thank You for causing me to obey because of that new life You've given me.  Help me never to return to the Law for my salvation.  Your grace is enough for me.  Also, help me to patiently minister by Your Spirit, and to leave the results with You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford