2 Corinthians 3

Paul is once again battling a problem that will not go away, his credibility.  Apparently there were a group of individuals in the church who carried letters of approval and recommendation for their services, speaking, and character.  They insisted that Paul must not be qualified to conduct the ministry. (I find that extremely humorous especially since we have no record of these others.)  However Paul makes a defense again regarding his competence and his ministry, even among the people of Corinth.  Paul even makes a statement that appears to place a dagger in the hearts of his accusers. In verses 5-6 Paul says, "But our competence is from God. He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter from men."  In other words, I don't need the approval of men to carry out the ministry assigned by God.  While this statement must be seasoned and we must not take it to an extreme and become boastful, Paul is saying I can walk in confidence knowing that God has given me my assignment, my agenda, and my ability. 

Too often we can become enamored with the praise, or lack of, from mankind regarding our efforts and work for God.  We have not been called to please mankind but to bring honor to God.  Our mentality has become distorted to believe that because we live in a democratic society, that we must allow everything to be based on the consensus of mankind.  However, at the end of time on earth we will stand before our Creator to give an account for the way we conducted ourselves regarding His directives.  At that point, it will not matter if we made everyone happy or not.  All that will matter is that we were obedient and walked in complete confidence that we sought to honor Him above all things.

Paul closes the chapter dealing with the transition from the Old Law to the New Law.  This transition was not easy then just as change is difficult now.  However, Paul reminds the reader that the New Law is not a temporal or condemning issue.  Instead the new law brings freedom and life to all who accept it.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that those who hold to the Old Law do so with a limited scope of what God offers and are bound to a law.  However, through Christ, the New Law offers liberty and life to all who will accept it.  He even makes the statement of the supremacy of the New Law by stating, "For if what was fading away was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious." 

I want to hold to the glory and greatness of God in the present not living in the past.  God offers us each day an opportunity of abundant life.  Unfortunately we too often hold onto the days of long ago and remember the "When" rather than experiencing the "Win" of now!

Takeways:
1.  Our confidence and competence lies in God not man.
2.  Our God offers us a life of freedom if we are willing to follow after Him.
3.  Live in the Present not the Past!