2 Corinthians 2:14-3: The Mystery of Covenant 
Saturday, July 2, 2022
Christ comes into the world not to abolish the old covenant but to fulfill it. Christ comes into the world not to erase the old agreement but to bring it to fruition. Christ comes into the world not to punish us for wrongdoing but to heal and comfort, pardon and redeem.
Paul tells the people of Corinth and he tells us that there is a contrast between the old and new covenants. And he tells us that we must caution ourselves against a smug pride in our credentials that may – or may not – match our life in the Gospel. Do we claim to be followers of Christ through our words or through our actions? Paul questions us today.
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
Paul also tells us that it will be our work in the world that defines us as disciples of Christ – or that shows us to be followers of false gods and idols. We find Christ’s true presence, and our “letter of recommendation,” in the fruit of our labor. What fruits do our labors bear? Paul asks us today.
You are our letter, written on our hearts . . .
Christ’s peace is eternal and universal.
You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all . . .
Christ’s letter of recommendation is our covenant of love.
You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all, shown to be a letter of Christ administered by us . . .
Christ’s covenant with God’s people lives in and through us.
You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all, shown to be a letter of Christ administered by us, written not in ink, but by the spirit of the living God . . .
Christ’s covenant of love is permanent and impermeable.
You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all, shown to be a letter of Christ administered by us, written not in ink, but by the spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but in tablets that are the hearts of flesh.
Christ’s covenant is a mystery written on our hearts, never to be extinguished, always to be cherished, always to be trusted, always is gift.
Tomorrow, moving from the old to the new covenant.
To better understand the concept of covenant as used in the Old Testament, click on the contract image above, or visit: http://www.setapartpeople.com/introduction-covenants-part-1
Heart image from: https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/bible-pages-heart.html
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