“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. ”
Last week we saw God both willing and able to do abundantly above what we think or ask. This Corinthians passage continues to affirm God’s sufficiency to perform His purpose with an added responsibility. Our God of grace has freely given much but He has also made us competent ministers. Our grace also carries with it responsibility.
Ministers either graduate from seminary or are assigned by the State Department. For each of us to be ministers may be a stretch and a scary thought. This takes God’s sufficiency to another level. God’s provision in your life and mine is really where the action is taking place. Ministering makes effective the grace given to us. This passage tells us that we are competent to do as well as to be.
The trick is in both content and faith. “Our Covenant God” has provisioned us with both. Content is more than words on a printed page or being able to explain the gospel message. The content must first have passed through our personal soul with the power of revelation imparting knowledge of God’s living presence. Holy Spirit’s presence in us imparts both understanding and faith with our participation.
Our sufficiency to be ministers of a new covenant does not depend upon us but rather the life giving Spirit of God. This is an essential element of the “New Covenant”. The “New Covenant” is based upon the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our faith hinges on God’s capacity to perform His promises.
The word “covenant” in our culture and dictionary is a little different than the same word used in biblical culture. Webster’s definition has to do with two people coming together in an agreement. It is more toward the idea of contract where two parties have defined obligations. The biblical use of the word is more like a last will and testament where one person delegates His resources. The “New Covenant” described by Paul and the writer of Hebrews is speaking of this biblical procedure of giving out of the storehouse of divine resources, 2 Corinthians 3, Hebrews 8-10.
The context of this Ephesians passage has in view being ministers of God. This is not only a high calling, but very sobering when we consider what is at stake. People are able to access God’s divine resources. We are called to become actively involved in what God is doing in the hearts and lives of God’s people so that they can participate, like us, in His divine resources.
Connie was in our “Grace Sunday School Class” when it began March 2004 in Mesa, AZ. Grace Notes was born to replace and supplement the Sunday School class when we left AZ to be with family in VA. Connie has been faithfully following Grace Notes since then and continues to be on the direct distribution list.
A week ago I was in Phoenix and for the first time since the beginning of Grace Notes I met with Connie. She has a spiritual thirst going beyond what her church can satisfy. So I made a deal with Connie. I would hold her accountable for understanding doctrinal truth if she would begin to find a person she can share the truth the Holy Spirit gives to her. In other words, I would help her be what God has called us all to be, ministers of the “New Covenant”. The best way to learn is to teach!
Perhaps you too would like to go deeper spiritually. Our objective is to thoroughly understand Romans 8. To do this, we have to go through Romans 5 and understand the nature of faith. This is a long-term undertaking. It requires some resources, time and desire. If you are up to the challenge and willing to make the commitment, let me know. Perhaps you would like to join Connie and make it a team effort.
Remember, grace is a relationship. It is only in grace that we can be who God has called us to be. Grace has already been given to us if we are in Christ. Peter challenges us to grow in both grace and knowledge, 2 Peter 3:18. Grace is organic and knowledge is structure. If we use God’s word to build structure, the Spirit will provide understanding and organic life. We need both.