2 Corinthians 3:7–9 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
The stories in the Old Testament about how God gave His commandments and laws to Moses and the people of Israel are powerful and impressive. God intentionally put His righteous power and demands for justice on display to strike holy fear in the hearts of His people. The God who delivered His people out of slavery and oppression in Egypt is calling the shots. The deliverance of Israel is not about them; it is about God. Consequently, His people need to understand His expectations and fear divine accountability.
Paul’s instructions to the primarily Gentile church in Corinth make the glory of the Old Covenant commandments and laws clear. The purpose of the Law is not to provide the means by which God’s people can be made righteous. The purpose of the Law is to expose the people’s sinful hearts before their righteous and just God. When Moses would descend Mount Sinai with additional laws and regulations, His face glowed because he had been in the presence of the righteous God of glory. The glory reflected from the face of Moses struck the hearts of the people of Israel with fear. The glory of God’s righteousness is terrifying.
The story of God’s glorious work does not end with the giving of the laws and regulations. The most glorious work of God, that which shines the brightest, is the story of God’s redeeming grace through the saving work of Jesus Christ. God’s glory in the New Covenant is actively revealed to the hearts of sinful men and women by the Holy Spirit, who gives spiritual life and sight. Hence, people become aware of their condemned sinful state and look to the saving work of Jesus alone as their means of being made right with God.
The glory of heaven came to earth by God the Son becoming flesh so that as the sinless Lamb of God, He became our sin-bearer on the cross. His glorious resurrection from the dead confirms his effectual work of being a cleansing sacrificial atonement. The authority of Jesus to rule and reign over His New Covenant people is confirmed by His ascension to the right hand of the throne of God. Through the gospel work of Jesus and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, those held in bondage to sin are freed by faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, putting them in the far more glorious position of being in bondage to righteousness.
In Christ’s blood and victory, the New Covenant shines as the brightest light of God’s glory. In Christ, all fear of condemnation is removed. The inability to live consistently in righteousness is transformed. Progressive conformity to the likeness of our Savior characterizes every child of faith by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice New Covenant Christian. Your glorious gospel story is unfolding with more Christ-glorifying beauty each day!
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