2 Corinthians 3 - What Does True Transformation Look Like?

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Paul once again addresses some of the criticism he had received. He points to the work God did through him with the Corinthians as the evidence of his ministry with them. He says, 

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone."

Instead of letters of recommendation, which were common in that day, he pointed to their transformation in Christ. This letter was written on their changed hearts. 

Such letters were common and necessary in the early church. A false prophet or apostle could travel from city to city and easily say, “Paul sent me, so you should support me.” To help guard against problems like this, letters of recommendation were often sent with Christians as they traveled. (Guzik)

Then, Paul makes it clear that it is not about any of their innate abilities that this work was accomplished, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. He could not claim any glory for himself, which would rob God of his glory. The new work that God was doing was not through the old letter of the Law, but the new grace which was poured out through the Holy Spirit, which did what the letter of the Law could never do. It brought life not death. 

Where do you rely on your competency to prove yourself in your ministry? What would it look like for you to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power and give God the glory for your ministry in the church?

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

By using the covenant as an example, Paul shows he is teaching to a  Jewish audience, though there were surely Gentiles there.   Although the Old Covenant was undergirded by God's covenant promises to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, it looked forward to its fulfillment in Christ. Though Moses' face shined with God's presence, the glory of the Lord in the church would be even more brilliant. It also would be eternal not temporary. Commentator David Guzik sheds more light on this difference. 

The old covenant was a ministry of condemnation, but the new covenant is the ministry of righteousness. The old covenant is passing away, but the new covenant remains. No wonder the new covenant is much more glorious!

The old covenant had glory, but the glory of the new covenant far outshines it, just as the sun always outshines the brightest moon. Compared to the new covenant, the old covenant had no glory because of the glory that excels in the new covenant. (Guzik)

The covenant of Moses had to be hidden behind a veil to show the judgment God would bring. The glory was not of the Spirit, but the letter written on stone tablets. The stone tablets represented God's law, but also the hearts of stone the Israelites had. 

On the contrary when someone turns to Christ, the veil is lifted. The Holy Spirit comes to each person and resides in them. While the tablets of the law did not free the Israelites from bondage to sin, the Spirit gives life and freedom. Before Christ returns. we still fight the sinful nature which continues to plagues us. But little by little we are being transformed into the image of Christ. As we keep our eyes focused on the glory of the Lord, we can shine forth the love of Christ to the world. 

One day when the Lord returns or we die first, we will bask in the glory of the Lord. What a glorious day that will be! 

Guzik describes how true our true transformation takes place, 

As we behold the glory of God, we will be transformed. God will change our lives and change us from the inside out. Though the old covenant had its glory, it could never transform lives through the law. God uses the new covenant to make us transformed people, not just nice people.

Everyone wants to know, “How can I change?” Or, everyone wants to know, “How can they change?” The best and most enduring change comes into our life when we are transformed by time spent with the Lord. There are other ways to change, such as guilt, willpower, or coercion, but none of these methods bring change that is as deep and lasts as long as the transformation that comes by the Spirit of God as we spend time in the presence of the Lord.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life is your life becoming more like Jesus Church. Though we will never be perfect, the bible is clear that a person following Christ should be growing to look more like Christ not through our own will, but the freedom that comes when we have our eyes fixed on Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit! 

Do you see this kind of transformation in your life, or are you remaining stagnant in your journey to become more like Christ?