The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?
—2 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT
We live under the new way of the Holy Spirit, not under law! While the Old Testament law, given on Mount Sinai, came with the reflection of the glory of God on Moses' face, the New Covenant is the way of the Spirit. God's glory resides in us! Try to contemplate — really contemplate — both the concept of God's glory residing in us and the implications for how we should live. One way to illustrate the principle that Paul is teaching is this. When electricity first became available in rural areas, many farmers put one light on a pole halfway between the house and the barn. That light seemed so bright because it was the only light available, so it cast away the darkness. However, when the new powerful lights of today are put on the same pole, the old light is barely visible in the bright light of the new bulbs. The Old Testament law of God is like the first light that the farmers had. The greater glory from the Holy Spirit is like the new, more powerful lights!
O glorious Father, God Almighty, thank you for living inside me through your Holy Spirit. May my heart and will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working to mold me after your will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—2 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT
Key Thought
We live under the new way of the Holy Spirit, not under law! While the Old Testament law, given on Mount Sinai, came with the reflection of the glory of God on Moses' face, the New Covenant is the way of the Spirit. God's glory resides in us! Try to contemplate — really contemplate — both the concept of God's glory residing in us and the implications for how we should live. One way to illustrate the principle that Paul is teaching is this. When electricity first became available in rural areas, many farmers put one light on a pole halfway between the house and the barn. That light seemed so bright because it was the only light available, so it cast away the darkness. However, when the new powerful lights of today are put on the same pole, the old light is barely visible in the bright light of the new bulbs. The Old Testament law of God is like the first light that the farmers had. The greater glory from the Holy Spirit is like the new, more powerful lights!
Today's Prayer
O glorious Father, God Almighty, thank you for living inside me through your Holy Spirit. May my heart and will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working to mold me after your will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...