THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE The expression may sound peculiar: "Now, the Lord is that Spirit." Paul is referring to the way in which He has used the word "Spirit" in His exposition of the glory of the New Covenant. -- Tomorrow:
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:15-18, KJV)
Devotion 14 of 33
1. "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, THE SPIRIT of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart" (2 Cor 3:3).
2. "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of THE SPIRIT: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (2 Cor 3:6).
3. "How shall not the ministration of THE SPIRIT be rather glorious?" (2 Cor 3:8).
The Old Covenant was, in a manner of speaking, impersonal. That is, although it was given by the Lord, He Himself was not directly involved with the people, for it was NOT an economy of faith (Gal 3:12). Even His reflected glory, seen in the skin of Moses' face, faded from both view and memory. When God spoke, He did so through Moses. When He led the people, He did so through Moses. When He gave the people water from a rock, He did so through Moses. Moses spoke to Him for the people, and to the people for Him. The Israelites did not have direct access to God. Even the High Priest came before the Lord only once a year – and that in a strict ceremony, laded with types, shadows, and symbols. It was not personal, with an interchange between God and man. This is what distinguished Moses from the rest of the people – including Aaron the high priest. Of him God said, "With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold" (Num 12:8). That was His way with Moses, but it was not so with the rest of the people. They were "only" given rules regarding "meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation" (Heb 9:10).
But this is NOT the manner of the New Covenant. In this covenant there is a writing that is accomplished by "the Spirit of the living God" (3:3). This is not an academic covenant with mere rules and regulations, but one in which "the Spirit giveth life" (3:6). It is not a covenant inscribed on tables of stones, and embalmed, as it were, in print. It is "the ministration of the Spirit" (3:8).
NOT A HUMAN VIRTUE OR STRENGTH
This is not a "spirit" like "the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17) – a mere attitude, or frame of mind. It is not a certain quality of mind, like "the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7). The "Spirit" of our text does not refer to the inward man, speaking of accomplishments wrought by elevated human qualities – like "the spirit of man" that "knoweth the things of a man" (1 Cor 2:11). It does not refer to an inward virtue that has been cultured by the grace of God, like "the spirit of meekness" (1 Cor 4:21), "the spirit of faith" (2 Cor 4:13), or "the spirit of wisdom" (Eph 1:17). It surely does not refer to "the spirit of your mind," where saints are "renewed" (Eph 4:23).
THE LORD HIMSELF IS INVOLVED
In the New Covenant, the Lord Himself is involved – involved to a far greater extent than He was under the Old Covenant. HE is the One who puts His Law "in their inward parts." HE is the One who writes His Law "in their hearts." HE is the focus of the people, being "their God." They are the focus of HIS attention, being HIS "people." HE is the One that is known, as compared to only knowing what is required of the people – and He is known by them all, "from the least of them unto the greatest of them." In the New Covenant HE forgives "their iniquity," and they do not come away with a defiled conscience, as they did under the Law (Heb 10:1-3). HE remembers their sin "no more," no longer continually holding forth His hands to a "disobedient and gainsaying people" (Rom 10:21), as He did under the Old Covenant (Jer 31:33-34). "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT!"
Concerning the working out of our salvation, the following explanation is given for its effectiveness. "For IT IS GOD which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT!"
When speaking of the adequacy possessed by those who are working together with God, it is written, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency IS OF GOD; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament" (2 Cor 3:5-6). "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT!"
When the matter of our maturity, or perfection, is addressed, we are given to see Divine involvement. "Now THE GOD OF PEACE the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Heb 13:20-21). "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT!"
The requirement of enduring suffering, being perfect, firm, and strong is opened up to us by the Spirit. "But THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Pet 5:10). "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT!"
When the activities of those in the Kingdom of God are the subject, they are called "workers together with Him" (2 Cor 6:2), and "fellowlaborers together with God" (1 C or 3:9). "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT!"
In the New Covenant there is immediate fellowship "with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). God has, in fact, "called us into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). Those within the New Covenant are "made partakers of Christ" (Heb 3:14), and "partakers of the Divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). Now, the person accepted by God is described as he that "dwelleth in God and God in Him" (1 John 4:16). In Christ Jesus there is a very real circumstance described as "God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us" (1 John 4:12). It is said of the faithful person that he "dwelleth in Him and He in him" (1 John 3:24).
Such marvelous realities never took place under the Old Covenant. The heart of the people was not changed under that covenant. Moral and spiritual change cannot be accomplished by means of that kind of agreement.
When our text affirms, "THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT," it is declaring the manner of the New Covenant. It is a covenant in which God can work within the people, perfecting, strengthening, and settling them. He is not a God out of sight and out of mind, but it imminent in the affairs of His people. He is active with and in the people who are reconciled to Him.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the blessing of Your fellowship.