Tag: Devotion

Life in Christ is glorious. All the ceremonial laws that Israel was commanded to keep were done away in Christ. The Tabernacle or Temple sacrifices abrogated because the work of redemption has been completed in Christ. We look forward to the glory to come at the return of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-18 KJV)

2 Corinthians 3:9-10 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. (2 Cor. 3:9-10 KJV)

When God began the nation of Israel, He provided them visual aids to explain His salvation plan through Jesus Christ, the foremost Son of Israel. All the law, setting up of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, pointed to Christ. In Christ, Israel as a nation found her sufficiency. All the sacrifices enacted in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple helps God’s people to see the redeeming work of Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:5-8 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (2 Cor. 3:5-8 KJV)

The Apostle Paul alluded to Exodus 34:29-35 in verse 7 when Moses came down from the Mount Sinai a second time with the tablets of the Ten Commandments written by God following Israel’s rebellion in the worship of the golden calf. Moses’ face glow as a result of His communion with God. To the Israelites who despise the worship of God in their waywardness, the law of God was a rebuke to them – ministration of death. It showed them their sin. Yet, there is a right relationship that brings God’s law to the seeking heart.

2 Corinthians 3:8-9 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (2 Cor. 3:8-9 KJV)

Moses spent long, uninterrupted time with God. He fasted throughout this period of 40 days and 40 nights on the Mount. Fasting is an exercise of self-humiliation, not for self-interest, but for God’s glory; not for legalistic asceticism, but an act of loving service to render the body more susceptible to the higher interests of the soul in the worship of God. In fasting, we do not have to be about the task of caring for the meal but have unbroken time with God.

Such self-humiliation would have been highly profitable and would be according to the teachings in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 3:7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
(2 Cor. 3:7 KJV)
The people were afraid to come near Moses perhaps because the glory of his face show forth the holiness of God. Indeed, the people has just been delivered from the fierce bout of idolatry. There is a sense of awe even though they have repented of their sins.

We are reminded of the scene of the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and the fear of the people in the awful sight of thunderings and lightnings that caused them to be afraid. Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. There is a sense of a fearsome power emanated from the presence of God.

A. J. Gordon, in the story entitled “Greatest Unused Power”, observed interestingly, “An American with an English gentleman was viewing the Niagara whirlpool rapids, when he said to his friend: “Come, and I’ll show you the greatest unused power in the world.” And taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, “There,” he said, “is the greatest unused power in the world!” “Ah, no, my brother, not so!” was the reply. “The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God.””¹

The Apostle Paul’s life was a testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit unleashed. Souls were converted and brought to life when the gospel was preached and the new converts painstakingly nurtured so that the Holy Spirit will fill that new life with power. This was how the church in Corinth began.

A believer’s humble dependence upon His Lord and Saviour brings spiritual fruit in its season.

Jesus said in John 15:4-5 “4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:4-5 KJV)

He further elaborated in John 15:7-10, “7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (Jn. 15:7-10 KJV)

What a blessed thought to begin the year! Our dependence upon our God is pleasing to Him. It brings honour and glory to His Name. That humble dependence upon God is a cultivated virtue in the Christian life. The sin of pride is crucified daily when we rightly attribute our all to God. Whether in adversity or in relative comfort, we find in our God strength to overcome in every trial and temptation. We give thanks to Him in everything.

The Apostle Paul enunciated his confidence toward God in helping him through life’s challenges. Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) articulated this thought well, “Confidence in the natural world is self-reliance, in the spiritual world it is God-reliance.” A timely reminder as we begin this New Year of grace 2019.

2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.