2 Corinthians 3:6

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life ~ 2 Corinthians 3:6

The Apostle Paul was one of the most proficient writers in the New Testament. In fact, Paul wrote 28% of the New Testament, which is a big portion of the Bible! If you want to count words, Luke beat him out by approximately 5,000. In either case, and as we are looking at this verse today, neither Paul nor Luke sought to make their gift of writing a self-acclaimed gift, but that it was given to them by God alone. Paul did not look at his talents and abilities as supreme, for he stated he was not sufficient for this work in his own strength (2 Corinthians 2:16; 3:5). It is only by the power of God’s Spirit that he and others are made competent or sufficient for the work God has laid out for them. There is no assertion they were people of great ability. What a comfort that is for us ordinary people. We tend to look at Paul as a great teacher leader, and he was, but only because of God! So it is that any one of us who depend upon God are made great when we follow His will for our lives. Paul goes on to say the “letter kills”, which is the law. None, not one of us can fulfill the law. We are all broken people in one way or another, and perfection is not our skill. The law is a set of rules that we must follow, but there must also be some grace inserted. When the law is followed to the “T” the room for learning, for mercy is cold, formal, and hypocritical. God’s Spirit speaks into our heart and through our conscience guides us when we are in error, but He does so in love. The law puts us down in a critical way, the Spirit of God shows us a better way through a loving, guiding hand. The Spirit does what the law cannot do – He elevates us, He purifies us, and He saves our soul.

Pastor Julia