8.97 The Law kills but the Spirit gives life
The Bible gives the following contrast between the law and the Spirit. Earlier, we said that the law is the ministry of death. While the LAW KILLS, the SPIRIT GIVES LIFE. It is the opposite. Thank God that we are under the New Covenant of grace, and we have the Holy Spirit poured down on Pentecost.
(2 Cor 3:5-6)
…our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the LETTER KILLS, but the SPIRIT GIVES LIFE.
Let us show you how the law resulted in death while the Holy Spirit resulted in life. We will contrast a scene from the Old Testament with a scene of the New Covenant.
When the law was given on Mount Sinai, 3,000 people died. It was a sad day for Israel. From Egypt to Mt. Sinai, Israel complained and murmured but not a single person died. They were delivered by the grace of God. But because the people were presumptuos, God gave them the law. They said they would keep it. But they same group of people who boasted in themselves turned to worshipping the golden calf when Moses was on the mountain. As the law executed God’s judgment, 3,000 people died.
However, in perfect contrast, when the Holy Spirit was first poured down from heaven on the Day of Pentecost in Acts, 3,000 people received life through salvation. It was a day of rejoicing. Jesus had already taken man’s judgment and death meted out by the law. So He could pour out His Spirit of life to indwell man, and to manifest His zoe life in them. And after Pentecost, the book of Acts demonstrates the life of God through signs and wonders.
Is there a coincidence that the number 3,000 occurs on both occasions? God was simply showing a beautiful contrast to the two covenants. And Paul summarizes it clearly that the law is the ministry of death while the Spirit gives life. So we walk in the Spirit; we don’t walk under law. The Bible says, "If we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law."
Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life. We live in the promised land of grace, where His promises abound to us by grace. We can receive and experience all His promises that are found throughout the Bible.
This does not mean that a Christian will not face problems. In this world, there will be tribulations and troubles. There will be giants in the promised land. However, Jesus has purchased our victory on the cross. We can overcome the giants through His promises, when we walk by faith in the power of His Spirit.
(2 Cor 3:5-6)
…our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the LETTER KILLS, but the SPIRIT GIVES LIFE.
Let us show you how the law resulted in death while the Holy Spirit resulted in life. We will contrast a scene from the Old Testament with a scene of the New Covenant.
When the law was given on Mount Sinai, 3,000 people died. It was a sad day for Israel. From Egypt to Mt. Sinai, Israel complained and murmured but not a single person died. They were delivered by the grace of God. But because the people were presumptuos, God gave them the law. They said they would keep it. But they same group of people who boasted in themselves turned to worshipping the golden calf when Moses was on the mountain. As the law executed God’s judgment, 3,000 people died.
However, in perfect contrast, when the Holy Spirit was first poured down from heaven on the Day of Pentecost in Acts, 3,000 people received life through salvation. It was a day of rejoicing. Jesus had already taken man’s judgment and death meted out by the law. So He could pour out His Spirit of life to indwell man, and to manifest His zoe life in them. And after Pentecost, the book of Acts demonstrates the life of God through signs and wonders.
Is there a coincidence that the number 3,000 occurs on both occasions? God was simply showing a beautiful contrast to the two covenants. And Paul summarizes it clearly that the law is the ministry of death while the Spirit gives life. So we walk in the Spirit; we don’t walk under law. The Bible says, "If we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law."
Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life. We live in the promised land of grace, where His promises abound to us by grace. We can receive and experience all His promises that are found throughout the Bible.
This does not mean that a Christian will not face problems. In this world, there will be tribulations and troubles. There will be giants in the promised land. However, Jesus has purchased our victory on the cross. We can overcome the giants through His promises, when we walk by faith in the power of His Spirit.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:19 AM
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