Contrasting the Laws Law of Moses vs. Law of Christ 2 Corinthians 3

As the gospel spread – so did the “Judiazers” spreading a false message of law and grace. They taught that salvation was a combination of faith in Christ PLUS keeping the law of Moses. (See Acts 15:1-4) This became a gospel of legalism The problem of the Judiazing teachers

Notice these 4 contrasts 1 Table of Stone 10 Commandments written on stone 2 Corinthians 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. Human Hearts Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Notice these 4 contrasts 2 Law of Death 2 Corinthians 3:6a who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills Law of Life 2 Corinthians 3:6b but the Spirit gives life. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Notice these 4 contrasts 2 Law of Death The letter kills A ministry of legalism brings death. Rules, regulations result in the death of joy, power, grace and effective service. Law of Life The spirit gives life. A ministry of spirit will focus on the motive and transform the person's life.

Notice these 4 contrasts 3 Fading Glory 2 Corinthians 3:7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, Increasing Glory 2 Corinthians 3: how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.

Notice these 4 contrasts 3 Fading Glory The old covenant leads to death The old covenant leads to condemnation The old covenant was temporary Increasing Glory The new covenant means spiritual life The new covenant means righteousness The new covenant is permanent.

Notice these 4 contrasts 4 Concealment 2 Corinthians 3: unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. Openness 2 Corinthians 3: Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Transformed – Greek – metamorphosis Law of Moses could not change people Law of Christ changes hearts, minds, eternity Have you been Transformed?

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Are you ready to be changed? God can transform you into His image. Are you ready to be changed?