Scripture

This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death, but under the new Covenant, the Spirit gives life.

Observation

Other apostles need letters of recommendation, but Paul does not need such things. The lives of people transformed by the gospel are the only recommendations that Paul needs.

It is God who has qualified Paul for ministry. He is a minister of the new covenant. The old covenant, with its written laws, brought death, but the new covenant brings life.

The old covenant started with such glory that the people of Israel could not look at Moses’ face when it shone from being in the presence of God. If the old way was so glorious, shouldn’t we expect even more from the new covenant which remains forever!

Application

The old covenant consisted of laws that were to help people know how to live in a way that honours God. But in the end, the old covenant brought death rather than life. People worshipped worshipped the rules rather than the God who gave the rules.

The old covenant was intended to bring people into the presence of the Lord, in the same way Moses entered the entered the presence of God. Instead, people put their trust in their ability tolive by the commandments.

There is no there is no written law as such in the new covenant. Yes, there is a code of conduct, so to speak. There are ways of living that honour God, and christians, especially those who claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit, will honour God with words, their deeds, and their attitudes.

As we deepen our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, we experience abundant life. Our joy in the Lord is not restricted to church to meetings and religious activities. No, joy should fill every part of our lives as the Spirit brings us to life

Prayer

Thank you Father for the covenant that brings life. Thank you that my joy is in you and not in obedience to dead letters. Amen.