GRACE IS A LIFE GIVER
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Sunday 8th December 2024
“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)
Beloved, the law was not designed to give life because the letter kills. The Bible calls the law the letter. 2 Corinthians 3:7 says, “But if the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones was glorious so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of the countenance, which glory was to be done away.” The ministration of death is when it is not the word of grace but the word of law and legalism. It is a fading glory. So if you are building your life on laws and traditions, rules, regulations, and your performance to be accepted before God, the bible says, it is a fading glory. It cannot build you up because you are depending on self-effort.
Then, in verses 8 and 9, the Bible says, “How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”
So you see, it is either the word of His grace or condemnation. It is the word of His grace that builds up. Every other word brings about condemnation. The law shows you guilt and insufficiency. The law will not give you liberty to live for God. We ought to stand firm in the liberty wherein Christ has set us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
When you show people what Christ’s death has made available for them, they will desire it. The gospel is all about for people to see what Jesus’ death gives them and not tell them what is wrong with them. When you tell them the solution to what is wrong with them, then you are helping them. That is what the word of His grace does for us. The word of grace will build you up to see why Christ died.
Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:1-11
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Daniel 8-10; Evening- 3 John