Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who 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.
- 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
This was Sojourner magazine's verse of the day. I've always argued that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter. Of course, that could be because I've got A.D.D. so bad and I'm terrible with details. No seriously, it makes me think about Jesus scolding the teachers of the law in His day for "screening out a gnat, yet swallowing a camel," in our sinful desire for "justice" and our own pious self-righteousness, we lose sight of the true meaning and intent of God's Word. If only we'd act justly, love mercy and walk humbly- instead of acting pious, loving justice for others but hypocrisy for ourselves and walking smugly with delusions of godliness!
This verse is fascinating because while on the one hand, it talks about how our competence and confidence aren't our own, they're totally unearned, they're entirely God's- on the other hand, it makes clear that we, WE are to be His ministers. Ministers in the spirit of His new covenant. The covenant of love and forgiveness.
I may be a worm, I may, like St. Paul, be "chief among sinners," and yet without any seminary training or official ordination, God wants to use me to minister to others. To administer His love and grace, His mercy and forgiveness.
What an honor.
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