Continuing our survey of the law in the Bible -
1 Corinthians 15.59 is a passing but significant comment - "the power of sin is the law". Light is good, but light shows up evil. Light shining in the face of Jesus Christ not only calls to repentance, but beams with grace abundant. And so the light of law shows up our condition as sinners before God but the grace of our Lord Jesus provides the remedy.
2 Corinthians 3 is very clear about the different covenants - one through Moses and one through Christ. The first is described as a ministry of death, the second as a ministry of the Spirit. Both express the glory of God. It is the second that surpasses the first. It is permanent and life changing. It transforms the believer into the glory of the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. This is described as ongoing, by the Lord the Spirit until the day when we appear with Him in glory. The vessels of clay may break, but the glory of the gospel in the face of Jesus Christ will shine the brighter.
I note that several times in this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul refers to the Old Testament "as it is written" (6.2 6.16 9.9 ) He was indeed an apostle (authorized by Christ to speak for Christ), yet he repeatedly draws upon the Old Testament as a point of reference and authority!
John McKee
1 Corinthians 15.59 is a passing but significant comment - "the power of sin is the law". Light is good, but light shows up evil. Light shining in the face of Jesus Christ not only calls to repentance, but beams with grace abundant. And so the light of law shows up our condition as sinners before God but the grace of our Lord Jesus provides the remedy.
2 Corinthians 3 is very clear about the different covenants - one through Moses and one through Christ. The first is described as a ministry of death, the second as a ministry of the Spirit. Both express the glory of God. It is the second that surpasses the first. It is permanent and life changing. It transforms the believer into the glory of the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. This is described as ongoing, by the Lord the Spirit until the day when we appear with Him in glory. The vessels of clay may break, but the glory of the gospel in the face of Jesus Christ will shine the brighter.
I note that several times in this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul refers to the Old Testament "as it is written" (6.2 6.16 9.9 ) He was indeed an apostle (authorized by Christ to speak for Christ), yet he repeatedly draws upon the Old Testament as a point of reference and authority!
John McKee
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