2 Corinthians 3:6-9
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
6 who also made us sufficient [to be] ministrants of a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; for the letter doth kill, and the spirit doth make alive.
7 and if the ministration of the death, in letters, engraved in stones, came in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look steadfastly to the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face -- which was being made useless,
8 how shall the ministration of the Spirit not be more in glory?
9 for if the ministration of the condemnation [is] glory, much more doth the ministration of the righteousness abound in glory;
The law was given so that we would get frustrated by how difficult (impossible) it was to keep, it is all about contrast. We were meant to TRY as hard as we could and STRIVE for perfection that we would never attain. Churches and the religious today teach the same thing. they will say that it is all of grace but if you don't produce good works too than you must not really believe or some will even say that it is grace plus works that makes you righteous. God chose to put us through the religious life before bringing us to the truth that Jesus Christ PAID IT ALL and there is nothing left for us to do but rest in the finished work of Christ.
Now take a moment to look back at your life of religion and doubt and works. Without that experience would you feel so free now that you know the truth? Would you feel as peaceful as you do now?
Picture this: A homeowner comes up to you and says, "If you work really hard and save all the money you earn you will be able to buy this house which was custom made to be your dream home." You take this advice to heart and begin working as hard as you possibly could, and you finally save enough money to buy this house. You go to the homeowner and tell him that you finally have enough. He replies,"Well I see that you have been trying really hard, but the price has just gone up." You get really discouraged but you REALLY want this house. So you keep working. Once again you have saved enough for the house but once again the homeowner has raised the price. This happens several more times and finally you are just ready to give up... you walk away with your head hung low and your dreams crushed, KNOWING you will never be able to pay for that house. Right when you are about to exit the building a man comes in. He looks at your desperation and your brokenness. He knows you have given up all hope. He lifts you chin and asks you what is wrong. You tell him the story of the house and how you know it is impossible to afford it. He smiles and walks over to the homeowner. He asks,"How much for the house?" The homeowners response,"More than you have." The stranger smiles, pulls out a check book and signs a blank check. He hands the check to the homeowner and tells him that he can fill in ANY amount at all and the check would cover it. The homeowner takes the check and signs the deed over to the stranger, then the stranger turns to you. "This is for you." He says. "It is a gift, now stop working so hard and start resting." Tears come to your eyes as you feel the weight of life lifting from you and joy swallows up your soul. You immediately fall down and thank the stranger for this amazing gift. You ask how you could ever repay him. His response, "You can't, and I don't want you to even try. I did this so you could find rest."
I was so frustrated with religion for the first few months after learning the truth about grace and God's gift to ALL MANKIND. However, today it really hit me. That wthout the legalistic religious experience I went thruogh, I wouldn't feel as free and joyful as I do today. I thank God for the religious, because they helped provide the stark contrast to make my life what it is today. Remember Winter sucks in order for us to enjoy Spring!
Now take a moment to look back at your life of religion and doubt and works. Without that experience would you feel so free now that you know the truth? Would you feel as peaceful as you do now?
Picture this: A homeowner comes up to you and says, "If you work really hard and save all the money you earn you will be able to buy this house which was custom made to be your dream home." You take this advice to heart and begin working as hard as you possibly could, and you finally save enough money to buy this house. You go to the homeowner and tell him that you finally have enough. He replies,"Well I see that you have been trying really hard, but the price has just gone up." You get really discouraged but you REALLY want this house. So you keep working. Once again you have saved enough for the house but once again the homeowner has raised the price. This happens several more times and finally you are just ready to give up... you walk away with your head hung low and your dreams crushed, KNOWING you will never be able to pay for that house. Right when you are about to exit the building a man comes in. He looks at your desperation and your brokenness. He knows you have given up all hope. He lifts you chin and asks you what is wrong. You tell him the story of the house and how you know it is impossible to afford it. He smiles and walks over to the homeowner. He asks,"How much for the house?" The homeowners response,"More than you have." The stranger smiles, pulls out a check book and signs a blank check. He hands the check to the homeowner and tells him that he can fill in ANY amount at all and the check would cover it. The homeowner takes the check and signs the deed over to the stranger, then the stranger turns to you. "This is for you." He says. "It is a gift, now stop working so hard and start resting." Tears come to your eyes as you feel the weight of life lifting from you and joy swallows up your soul. You immediately fall down and thank the stranger for this amazing gift. You ask how you could ever repay him. His response, "You can't, and I don't want you to even try. I did this so you could find rest."
I was so frustrated with religion for the first few months after learning the truth about grace and God's gift to ALL MANKIND. However, today it really hit me. That wthout the legalistic religious experience I went thruogh, I wouldn't feel as free and joyful as I do today. I thank God for the religious, because they helped provide the stark contrast to make my life what it is today. Remember Winter sucks in order for us to enjoy Spring!
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