Fruit of the Spirit
How do you know if you are walking in step with the Holy Spirit? Paul first breaks down what is not apart of the spirit in Galatians 5:19-21. He tells them sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these" are all components and examples of what it is to be living in the flesh. But in Galatians 5:22-24 Paul reveals the Fruit of the Spirit. The fruit is love (for God, others and self), peace (with God, others and self), faithfulness (in the Lord and the Word), joy (in that which is righteous), goodness (that which is in accordance with God's will), gentleness (with others), patience, self control and kindness. There are so many possible ways to live, think and operate, but if we are in the spirit, it narrows down those options
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Slaves and Sons
Being under the law instead of under grace makes you a slave. A slave to the law. As I stated before, when it came to the law, you basically had to be perfect. There is no grace in the law. It is just the law. Either you broke it or kept it. There is no "well just this time" or "if you do it one more time" kind of warnings or grace. It was the law, so there was no space for grace. In verse 7 we understand that we are no longer slaves (under the law) but we are sons (daughters and offspring) of God and therefore heirs to the kingdom. In verses 21-31, Paul breaks down the difference between the slave son (law) from Hagar and the son of a promise from Sarah (grace through Jesus) and which one was blessed.
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Law or Grace
In Galatians 3:10 we read " For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” That means, if you are not accepting of Christ and his sacrifice then you are under the law. The law basically requires perfection. Christ does not require perfection but obedience to or submission to God's will through Christ. You can either be forgiven or keep striving for perfection. As I have stated before, you can be married and honor your spouse because you are married, or you can honor your spouse and your marriage because you love you spouse. As with Christ, it is not about religion but a relationship. As with marriage, it is not about the title of marriage but the honoring of the one you are with which represents that relationship. Christ has redeemed us by dying in our place and dying for our sins. The law was cursed and Christ became that curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Talk about total sacrifice.
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Love Out Loud
For those of us who text and love to use acronyms during communication we have all seen LOL which stands for "laugh out loud." I was sitting here thinking of another topic and I thought, what if we take that acronym and change the meaning, or add a meaning to it. Let's change LOL to mean "Love Out Loud." I know, that seems corny, but think about how different this can be. How many times do we criticize out loud? How many times do we tell people what we do not like about them out loud. But, when it comes to loving them and sharing what we love about them, we don't tell them. Ever. Just for today, try something different. For the person that you criticize the most (spouse, child, friend, celebrity on twitter- haha) use that same energy to focus on being loving. Jesus didn't go around critiquing everyone all the time, but you do. Flip it. Use today to be loving as Christ loves you for your shortcomings, mistakes and bad decisions.
Sometimes we need some verses to help us remember to be loving. I like the one which is often known as the "Golden Rule" which is Luke 6:31. It tells us do to others as we would want them to do to us. I mean think about it, if we all treated people they way we would want to be treated I think we would all be in a better place. If you don't like being yelled at and cut down, then don't do it to others. If you don't like being criticized in public, then don't do it to others. Flip it. Be loving and encouraging in public. No backhanded compliments, but genuine love. Let it flow from you freely for the benefit of others.
Lastly, let us remember 1 John 4:11. This verse tells us to love one another as God loves us (as I stated in the first paragraph). Even someone who doesn't "deserve" it. No where does scripture tell you to be mean or cruel to someone because you don't like them. We follow Christ. He didn't go around putting people down and telling them that they don't deserve to be loved or forgiven or given grace. Remember Christ is our example. Study his life and follow the example.
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Christ Lives Through Me
We have to understand, as Paul tells the Galatian church, that it is not us who are just so great, but it is God working through us. Paul said that he died with Christ. His statement was answering a question that he would have been asked from the Galatians. His point in saying that he died with Christ was that he died to the rules of the law when Christ died in his place. Christ died in all of our place. He died for our sins. So, when Paul says "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me", he is saying that because he accepts Jesus as his Lord and Savior, it is now the Spirit of God that lives through us and guides us (Galatians 2:20).
In verse 21, Paul validates what he stated before. Paul is showing the church that the law cannot save them, but only the grace of God through Christ. Paul says, "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." Paul's point is to say that the law cannot save someone for if it could, the Christ's sacrificial death was wasted.
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How Strong Are You?
How strong are you? I don't mean physically, but emotionally. How much can you endure? How much can you handle? How strong are you spiritually? In class last night, we discussed forgiveness and it made me think of how people will forgive an egregious sin or wrong doing done to them and people may say to them "You're so strong" and "I could never forgive that." But, it makes me think, is it really us individuals who are so strong and so awesome, or is it God working through us to make us and shape us to be who we become?
Pride makes us believe that we are so awesome and can do anything on our own apart from God. But that will make us stumble (Proverbs 16:18). That could be working through forgiveness, powering through a project, or anything. People apart from the Lord will say it is all you and you can do anything. But, for those of us that have accepted Christ and seek God's will in their life over anything else, we know that apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5). Do you want a healthier marriage and stronger bond? Use God's strength! Do you want to forgive who hurt you? Use God's strength! Admit that you cannot do it on your own as the false prophets would say and preach. We have to stay connected to the true vine which is Christ and through him we are connected to God in order to live, think and operate in honor of God.
If we need an example of looking to strength that is beyond humanly possible, look at the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus tells a parable of a father who gives one of his two sons the inheritance/property that was entitled to him. He wanted it before the time he was to have. The father gave it to the son who then squandered it, realized his mistake and had to return home starving and humbled. The father gladly accepted the son back into his arms and was joyful to see his son alive. He treated him well when he returned and did not shame him, but loved him. This is not a man who was operating out of his own power. This is a father who was infused with the Holy Spirit to forgive and not hold a grudge. He was happy to see his child alive. And that is how God sees us. He wants us to see that we need Him and can do nothing apart from Him. We walk away from God when we let our pride control our emotions. The strength it takes to overlook the wrong someone has done takes God strength, not our own apart from Him.
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No Other Gospel
Paul opens up the letter to the Galatians with loving salutations. Then he gets right back at correcting the church for what they have done incorrectly. He wants them to know that there is no other Gospel other than one of Jesus Christ. They had turned to a different gospel which so many people do when they do not understand Jesus and his purpose on earth. We read the gospel and do not understand or allow for barriers to distort what we are to gather from the reading. Or we do not read the word of God and listen to what others tell us overlooking the importance for us to read on our own. In Galatians 1:10, Paul shows that he is bonded to serving God first and not man. Paul says "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." He is not trying to persuade God to think how he thinks, but show men/others how he will not try to seek man's approval over God's. He was not going to water the gospel down and deliver a different message as a people pleaser would do. He was going to give it straight to them as he was an apostle of God that was chosen by God's grace even before Paul was born (Galatians 1:15-17).
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Examination and Salutation
Paul closes out 2nd Corinthians with a warning for the church. As we knew, they had not been doing what they should have been doing by allowing sinful ways to be accepted in their church. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul says something that I think all of us need to do. He tells the church to "examine" themselves. He wants them to see for themselves if they are really with the faith. He told them to test themselves to see that Jesus is really in them. We ought to test with scripture, the Word of God. We do not test by looking at ourselves by how the world sees us but as God sees us.
Paul sends them off similarly to 1 Corinthians. He signs off the letter with encouragement. He wants to have "restoration," and encourages them to comfort and agree with one another living in peace. In verse 14, Paul says "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." May we all take some lessons from what Paul says and examine and test ourselves and also live in peace with others.
On another note, yet related, this young man Daniel says he is gay and goes to church. he says that he thinks it is okay to be Gay and be a Christian. I want to share a video I saw on Youtube from Ray Comfort as he shares the word in a very open and relaxing way. I respect the way that he did this and did not do what I have seen many do, which is openly condemn and insult people. That is not the way to win souls for Christ. Please watch
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Sufficient Grace
Paul continues discussing his short coming and his imperfections. He tells the Corinthian Christians about his experience in coming to Christ (but does not tell them it was him). In doing this he tells of this man's story and how it has inspired him, so to speak. Paul continues and says that he wanted his tormenting to be ceased and He asked God to take them away. Paul said God's response was that His grace was sufficient enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). We need to know that. We need to not focus on how "great" we think we are and give glory to God. I hear too much too often about who deserves what praise and who deserves what ridicule. If anything, we "deserve" ridicule for knowing the Lord and focusing back on ourselves and our greatness. Glory Be To God!
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False Teachers and Humility
In verses 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul separates himself from teachers who claim to be the same as he is. He calls them false apostles, deceitful and they are disguising themselves. Paul is telling the church at Corinth to beware of these people and not assume that they are the same as Paul who may not be as good of a speaker, but possesses the knowledge. Paul is trying to save them from being led astray. He says that even Satan disguises himself so it would be obvious that his servants would disguise themselves too.
Lastly, Paul does not like to boast. He has been known to tell his stories of his experiences and he has been told that he is bragging and boasting. Paul says in verse 30 that if he were to boast it would be in his weaknesses. In those weaknesses it can be seen that God is the King of all and turn those weaknesses into strengths to honor his Kingdom. Amen.
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Making a Rash Decision
Life is full of frustrations. Sometimes it seems like no matter what you do or where you turn, there is a problem. It could be a money problem or a relational problem or a job issues, but whatever it is, it seems like the issues are never ending. Job issues may lead you to want to quit, but then what? You need money to live and pay bills and eat. You could open up another credit card and pull all of that money out, but how will you pay it off? Could you cut spending rather than increase debt? In relationships, people will rub us the wrong way and we can be tempted to cut ties. But, have you thought about the the possible repercussions? Better yet, did you ask God for direction?
One thing you can do is go to God humbly and ask Him to show you what you could have done differently. It is hard to be humble when we get upset at people or life. Making more money is great, but if you do not know how to save and budget, then what difference does it make. Finding a new job is great but if every job you have had there are issues you have that irreconcilable with coworkers or upper management, then maybe that needs to be addressed before quitting. Finding a new friend or significant other is fine, but maybe there is a way you talk to people that pushes people away instead of pulling them in. In Job 6:24 we read that Job was asking Eliphaz to show him where he was wrong regarding a rant. But do we do this with ourselves, others and Go?. When there is an issue you can just "fix it" or you can humbly seek to find out what went wrong and where.
Also, just know that God will guide you, but you have to be humble enough to know that God's way is the best way. If you are not reading your Bible and seeking to understand it and see what God's word has for you, it will make life harder. Life can be hard anyway, why make it harder by not checking the manual. You can't fix a car without looking at the intricate parts of the engine, transmission, and the owner's manual. With people, our brain and our heart (emotions) and owner's manual (the Bible) need to be connected in order to help us through life. In Psalm 31:3 we have to see that God is our rock and our fortress and He will lead and guide us. We have to seek Him and His way.
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Every Thought Captive and Belonging to Christ
A few verses jump out at me and they speak volumes as to what we should do and who we are. In verses 5-6 Paul has been confronting any accusation that he is doing what feels humanly right versus what he is to do as he is led by God, led by the Spirit. Paul tells the Corinthian Christians that whatever points and thoughts they try to use against him and the knowledge of God (what they know about God) needs to be taken captive to obey Christ. Think about how significant that statement is. Every thought should be taken captive to obey Christ. That means what ever you think needs to go seek God first before you can even dwell on it or put it into action. Wow. Talk about total submission.
Paul addresses any separation in the church in verse 7. He tells them to look at what is before them and see that if anyone is confident that they are Christ followers, they should remind themselves that Paul and others were as well. There was no "we are better than you" or "you are not as good as us." Paul was seeking to bring unity within a church that had division and was engaging in sin and excusing sin as if it was the loving thing to do.
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Before the Eyes of Men
When we give whether it is to our church or we help a friend or someone we don't know, our heart must be in the right place. It cannot be on trying to impress others. It cannot be to say "Hey look at me!" Through our selfless service we can show honor to God by helping others.
In Matthew the words of Jesus resonate loudly and are quite clear. In Matthew 6:1 Jesus tells to beware of practicing righteousness (doing good works) in order for others to see you. If you do good works for others to see you, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven. Essentially, when you do good things on earth for people to see God will not acknowledge it.
Furthermore, we are to sound no trumpet (call no attention) in regard to our good works. The hypocrites would do that in the synagogues (Matthew 6:2). The hypocrites were the Pharisees who did good works before the eyes of men, not God. In verses 3-4 Jesus sums things up by saying if you do your giving in secret, your Father in Heaven will reward you. That is where our focus should be: on pleasing God. If we seek to please others we will fall short because there is nothing you can do that will please everyone all the time. Seek to honor God all the time and honor God only.
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The Cheerful Giver
As discussed in chapter 8 the amount one gives to a church or whatever should come from the heart. The old testament had a standard of 10% but God knows what you can give and what you cannot give. As a matter of fact, due to reading yesterday's text and today's text I remembered to give to my home church as I had forgotten the last 2 months. I gave what I could, not what some might say I should. As Paul says here in verse 7 "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." My Pastor Rick Warren has stated that if you feel pressure to give, then don't. It's not coming from the heart. I would agree with him as what he says is backed up by scripture (see what I did there- not every pastor gets everything right).
But before that in verse 6 Paul tells us that the point is if you give sparingly (little) in dedication to God, you will reap sparingly (little). The opposite is true where if you give bountifully (much/more than you can afford) then you will reap the same. The reaping does not have to be money, it can be, If the focus is on "how can I get more money?" then you have forgotten about the heart of Christ. Seek his will as it was entrenched in the Father's (God's).
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Grace and Giving
In verse 7 Paul goes back on the sarcastic correction angle by reminding the Corinthian Christians, who have not excelled in faith, speech, knowledge and earnestness, that they should excel in in being gracious/giving grace to others. This could also have been Paul's way of saying "well if you say you have been excelling in these areas then I will take your word for it. If you excel in grace then you are following the example of Christ. Christ was very gracious unless someone was misusing the house of the Lord and twisting the word of God. That is when Christ was known to do more than just speak out.
In the next section (2 Corinthians 8:8-14) Paul deals with the topic of giving. While the Old Testament had a standard of 10% (tithe) we see in the New Testament examples of giving what you have available to give. Dave Guzik's commentary focuses on the idea of 10% being more of an expectation and being seen like a tax rather than a giving from the heart. This is where grace can abound in giving. We give graciously and not from rule or regulation but from the heart.When we go to church is out of obligation or because we want to? When we give to the church is out of what we can or is it just what we want to give? Heart check! It matters.
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Praise and Appreciation
For as much as Paul condemns what the Corinthian Christians, do, say and think, he will also praise them for what he sees them doing that is right. In verses 6-7, Paul says that God comforts the downcast (saddened) and that he and his ministry were comforted by Titus coming and him being comforted by the Corinthian Christians. Here he not only praises the church, but he also acknowledged God as a comforter and sees Titus as solution to needed comfort. He is praising and respecting everyone in this section. No matter how people look at Paul for his intensity and some times his sarcasm, you can't over look his appreciation of
the blessings.
Paul ends this section of text in verse 16 once again affirming the church. He tells them that he has full confidence in them. He doesn't take shots at them and undercut them and say that they need to prove themselves to him. While he would have every right to do so, how does that build them up? It doesn't. That wouldn't be very encouraging. Paul sees the positives and points them out.
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No Obstacle and Not Being Unequally Yoked
Two verses jump out to me today. One is verse 3 that tells us that Paul's ministry was not designed nor can it be justly accused of putting an obstacle in anyone's way. The Corinthian Christians could falsely accuse him of anything they wanted, but when it got down to it, there was no justification in the accusation. In verse 4-10, Paul gives a running list of the things that his ministry has endured from sleepless nights, beatings, and imprisonments. They are treated like impostors and liars yet they are truthful. They were able to endure all of this through "truthful speech and the power of God."
The second verse that hit me was a reminder that we are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corithians 6:14). This didn't mean we could not speak to non-believers to them. But think of a connection that people have be they friendships, marriage, business. Christ followers submit to God understand that God's grace saved us for reconciliation. An unbeliever is not linked to Jesus, which is why they are an unbeliever. You can't charge an iPhone with a cordless phone jack. They would be unequally connected and the same applies to our lives. You have that connection with Christ so the closest people to you that are yoked (or linked) to you should also be connected to Christ.
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What is Love?
This may be a topic I have done before, but you know what, it's important. So let's go over this...again.
We have heard this section of verses on love at wedding and I'm sure we have heard it in church when pastors discuss relationships be they friendship, dating or marriage. But when it comes to love, so often we think of the feeling of it. It is that flutter in your heart when you see them. It is that bond you feel when you talk to them and are around them. Sadly, love can come with conditions. "I love you as long as you do 'x' for me and make me feel like 'y.'" People love as long as they are treated a certain way. I'm here to tell you, if your love has an ending condition, that isn't love my friend. So, what is love?
Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians on what love is. You can apply this to Valentine's Day or just relationships. But you can also see this from God's perspective. God wants us to be loving. This section of text was in relation to spiritual gifts that without love are just loud clanging symbols. So, no matter what you do with your life, if you do not understand or reject God's love for you (us) and Christ's sacrifice then how will you know that love is patient, kind, is not envious nor boastful nor arrogant (1 Corinthians 13:4)? God is patient with us in our sins and is kind in bestowing talents to us to honor Him. We should not be envious of one another nor should we boast. When you envy another you forget what God gave you. And when you boast, you overwrite what God has done for someone else like your boasting and arrogance says you are superior.
Love is not rude. Love does not insist upon its own way. Love is not irritable or resentful (1 Corinthians 13:5). How many times are you rude to others or insist upon your own way? That is not being loving in those moments. Love does not allow for irritability or resentment. Being irritable is like being agitated with a little extra on it. We have seen resentment before. That feeling you have when someone does or says something hurtful and you hang on to that every time you see or think of them. It's like bitterness. Love does not give birth to these things.
Love does not rejoice in wrong doing but rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). The wrong doing is not done in love. If you do wrong that cannot be done in love. Rejoicing in the truth is a way to show love as well. God is truth. God's word is truth. We rejoice in Him and His word. That is love.
Lastly, we must know that love bears, believes, hopes and endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7-8). This does not mean that we believe everything we ever hear from anyone or any random source. We are believing in the best of others. We are being optimists. Love hopes for the best and endures the trying times of life. Love keeps you going even when that friend, significant other or person has done you wrong. Love keeps pushing through and does not allow for that person to become an enemy. Love has no end date.
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Heavenly Dwelling and Reconciliation
It is hard to read this section of text again (2 Corinthians 5:1-10). The last time I did, a friend of mine was reading it after he was diagnosed with ALS. He died within the year he was diagnosed. He knew then that his earthly body while imperfect was not his only body. It was a tent that was temporary. He knew that his Heavenly dwelling with the Father was eternal and would be painless. He was courageous and walked by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
And since Christ died for our sins we must know why that happened. He was God in the flesh and sold out for the will God too. His dying for our sins made it so we could be reconnected and reconciled with God even though we sin. We had to accept what Christ did through God's grace and minister about that reconciliation to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). We do not have to live in distance from God on earth or in Heaven.
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Christ-like Valentine
Valentine's Day is this weekend, Sunday to be exact. This is the time of year that we tell our significant others how much we love them and buy them roses and chocolates and dinners and gifts and really try to impress them. We tell them that we love them. All those things are wonderful and you should absolutely tell those that you love, that you love them. But what about a real focus for Christ followers? Does your significant other have Christ-like character? That is something that we Christ followers need to look at.
When you communicate with your significant other, when you see them walk through life, is their focus on being of the same mind as Jesus? If you read Philippians 2:5 we see that we are to have the same mind as Jesus. This take effort, but overall through grace from God, it takes submission to God's will. Jesus was completely sold out for God and died as it was in God's will so that we could be redeemed through Christ with God. Is your mate completely sold out for God's will? If you are a Christ follower ask yourself that question. But also ask yourself, am I sold out for God?
Remember when Jesus gave us a new commandment? Do you remember what it was? It was that we love others as he (Jesus) has loved us (John 13:34). This isn't about religion and all of that, this is about dedication to Christ and being loving to others. Others is everyone. Loving others as God would have us love them. That means remove the condemnation. Remove the denigration. Remove the bitterness. Remove the hate. Add unconditional love. Add grace. Add respect. Add Christ-likeness to cover it all. If you really want to know if they are the "one" check their character against that of Christ. Check your character against that of Christ. If you are united in Christ's love that is a great start to this Valentine's Day as well as many others.
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Jars of Clay and the Eternal
I love how Paul sets the records straight again with renouncing disgraceful and underhanded ways. Remember, he is a leader. He has to be above reproach. Further, he states that he refused to practice cunning ways or tamper with God's word (2 Corinthians 4:2). Now, can you think of a church or church leader who has done this? Maybe a sect of Christianity? Secret meetings and twisting if scripture. I have seen it before and we will continue to see it as long as people are not submitting to the Almighty God and in the Spirit.
Paul tells the church that the gospel of Christ is a treasure. That treasure is stored in us as earthen vessels or jars of clay as some translations may have it. Either way, it shows that we are not to be proud and boastful. The greatest part of us is the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:7).
The final reminder in this chapter is a verse I fell in love with more than 10 years ago. It is 2 Corinthians 4:18. The verse focuses on the unseen and not the seen. It shifts our focus to the unseen and the eternal from the seen and temporary. Paul wanted the Corinthian church to understand what was truly important.
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Ministers of the New Covenant
Paul tells the church that they are the apostles letters of recommendation. If the apostles wanted to spread the word and teach and build churches, then their previous work would be their portfolio (2 Corinthians 3:2). So, if the church in Corinth was getting it wrong, then it makes Paul look bad. The church needed to know that basically your actions are a reflection of me. It reminds me of a work environment like a boss to an employee or like a family with a parent to a child.
Paul compared the 10 commandments to a ministry of condemnation as it was the law that was being used to condemn people as sinners. Then he referred to the new covenant (the Gospel of Christ) as the ministry of the Spirit, meaning the spirit of God or Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:9). The new covenant removes the "sinner" tag and replaces it with a "saved by grace" tag if you choose to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Paul closes out the chapter by informing the church that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). I just googled an image for this blog and verse and I saw an image with the American flag embedded in it. The freedom that Paul is talking about is freedom from sin, freedom from condemnation. An American flag cannot give you that freedom. It cannot save you from the death of your sins. Only accepting God's grace can give you that freedom.You can be aligned to your country and the freedoms allotted by the government, but freedom from sin is far more important and crucial to your walk as a Christ follower.
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