2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6 Death or Freedom?
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Freedom for Bondage?
In the Bible, freedom is understood as freedom to worship (and thereby serve) God. The Exodus (the rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt) is a story picture of this. Paul is using Exodus language here to link themes of freedom and true worship. The irony is that the Exodus generation, having been liberated, received the law, which Paul sees as a bondage to the Jew.
Freedom for Freedom
In this respect the difference between the Exodus generation and believers in Jesus could not be more striking. Unlike those who knew God only through Torah (the law) we are set free for freedom (Galatians 3).
Paul paints the difference in striking terms – life and death... when it comes to finding a way to live and worship – choose the way of the Spirit – not the law.
And this is only possible if you are born of the Holy Spirit.
· The law condemns the old heart
· The Spirit gives a new heart
· The law gives instructions
· The Spirit gives companionship
· The law puts nails in the coffin
· The Spirit sows seeds of life
· The law veils our eyes
· The Spirit opens our eyes
· The law makes you a slave
· The Spirit makes you a son
· The law promotes to compliance or hardness
· The Spirit promotes love and joyful obedience
Working it out
The application of this is 2 pronged: reckon on it… have high expectations of new covenant life – and don’t trade them in…
Sow to the Holy Spirit – time, edification, fellowship with God.
God’s desire for the sons of Adam: glad worship and obedience from a liberated heart.
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