In what ways can we embrace the "glorious" ministry of righteousness today? Anchored in the Text “For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!” (2 Corinthians 3:9) What Makes This Ministry “Glorious” • It imparts life, not death (3:6). • It unveils, rather than veils, God’s glory (3:14–18). • It exceeds the fading splendor of Sinai with the abiding splendor of the Spirit (3:7–11). Living Out the Glorious Ministry Today 1. Receive Christ’s righteousness by faith • 2 Corinthians 5:21—“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” • Romans 3:22—Righteousness is “through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe.” 2. Walk daily in Spirit-empowered obedience • Galatians 5:16—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Ezekiel 36:27—The Spirit causes us to “follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.” 3. Reflect God’s glory with unveiled faces • 2 Corinthians 3:18—As we behold the Lord, we “are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” • Practical tip: prioritize Scripture meditation and worship that fix the eyes of the heart on Christ’s glory. 4. Proclaim the message of reconciliation • 2 Corinthians 5:18—We are entrusted with “the ministry of reconciliation.” • Romans 1:16—The gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” 5. Serve others as channels of Christ’s righteousness • Philippians 2:15—“Shine as lights in the world.” • Matthew 5:16—“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” 6. Pursue holiness in community • Hebrews 10:24—“Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.” • 1 Peter 2:9—We are “a royal priesthood” to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Key Contrasts to Remember • Sinai’s law exposed guilt; Calvary’s cross imparts righteousness (Romans 8:3–4). • Stone tablets were external; the Spirit writes on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). • Moses’ glory faded; Christ’s glory grows ever brighter in His people (John 1:14, 16). Practical Snapshots • Begin each day by rehearsing 2 Corinthians 5:21—anchor identity in Christ’s righteousness. • Confess known sin quickly; righteousness shines brightest on a clean conscience (1 John 1:9). • Look for one opportunity today to speak the gospel—embracing the ministry’s verbal dimension. • Perform one unnoticed act of service—embracing the ministry’s tangible dimension. Closing Encouragement The glory Moses glimpsed from a cleft in the rock now dwells in every believer through the Spirit. Step into that radiance; the world is desperate for the brilliance of the ministry of righteousness. |
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