The burden Paul had for the church, the believers in Corinth, was known to all who came in contact with Paul. In fact, the people of Corinth would not be Christians, not be a part of the Church, were it not for Paul sharing the Gospel.
Jesus did not come into this world to help us be saved from sin but to save us from sin and the wrath of God. The life given and the blood shed on the cross was for the new covenant.
Paul’s success in delivering the Gospel message in and by the power of the Spirit is evident because there is a church in Corinth, a divided and besieged church, but a church that is now back on the right track being restored in and through their obedience to God and His servant Paul.
The believers in Corinth were Christ’s letter, not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God now living in their hearts. This is not like the ten commandments that were written on stone. Thus we are given, as believers, new hearts.
God has placed His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ in our hearts. In doing this He also placed, or wrote, His law their as well. What is His law? Jesus said, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these’” (Mark 12:29-31). The Law of Christ is: love God and love neighbor.
Vs 6 tells us that we are to be ministers of the New Covenant.
We are not to be preaching the letter of the Law, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. Each and every born again, blood bought, Bible believing follower of Christ is a minister of the New Covenant that is found in Christ Jesus and His Church.
God will not force you to share the gospel, but when you take your next step of faith and do so, He will empower you and use you in that moment. You have the very love of God being poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit who is given to you as a Christ follower!
Believers are to avoid sin, and we do so out of love for God and love for our neighbors. Love is the motivation for our obedience which keeps us from sinning. When you realize what Jesus did for you on the cross, when the life given and the blood shed for you becomes real, you will respond with gratitude, obedience, and most of all, love to God and your neighbor.
In doing those things you are then following Jesus in this world, but then you are no longer living like the world and are an example, a witness of the Gospel, the good news of salvation. But we cannot become legalistic following the letter of the Law without its intent like the pharisees who followed the letter of the law, but ignored the more important matters of that law, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and love (see Matthew 23, Luke 11:37-54).
God makes us adequate and gives us confidence to share the Gospel.
Digging Deeper:
- Do you know the love, grace, and mercy of God?
- Do you understand that you have to take that step of faith and share the Gospel in order for God to help you?
- With whom are you sharing the Gospel?
Further Reading: Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:19-20, Romans 8:2-3, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, Matthew 23, Luke 11:37-54, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 58
Dayton First Church of God 