The Ministry of Death—The Ministry of the Spirit

2 Corinthians 3:7-10. The ministry of the Spirit is explained in such a way that the ministry of death pales by comparison; yet the ministry of death was important all the same. By it the people in the old covenant received forgiveness for their sins, but it could not lead them to perfection. Hebrews 7:19. All its ministry was “outside” the body and dealt with conscious sin. Romans 7:13. But the ministry of the Spirit is “within” the body; it deals with unconscious sin—sin in the flesh—and being conformed to the image of Jesus. Romans 7:23 and 8:13, 29.

The preaching among religious people is largely concerned with the elementary principles of Christ—the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 6:1. After we have been reconciled to God we shall be saved much more by the life of His Son. Romans 5:10. This is not well known be­cause it has to do with the knowledge of God. Through the spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17), we are able to see that the whole counsel of God is for our salvation. Acts 20:27. We learn to dis­cern between what has been done “for us”—Christ’s atoning death for the forgiveness of our sins; and what shall be done “in us” sanctification by the Spirit. 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

The ministry of righteousness was carried out in Jesus. He offered Himself to God through the eternal Spirit, without spot, as a blame­less and pleasing sacrifice. Hebrews 9:14. This same ministry of the Spirit is to be performed in us—step by step. Jesus is our high priest. Since He Himself has gone through the veil, that is to say, His flesh (Hebrews 10:20), He now wants to bring the “offerings” from the lives of His disciples. These “offerings” are the covetousness of our human nature, which must be brought into the light and then put to death. Colossians 3:5. Jesus put this nature to death (1 Timothy 2:5-6), so that the requirement of the law “You shall not covet” might be fulfilled in us. Romans 8:3-4.

God’s people will go astray if they lack the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Without this spirit, one’s Christian life is stagnant. We are exhorted to leave the elementary principles of Christ because they do not lead to growth, and to go on to perfection. Hebrews 6:1.

The ministry of death which is for the forgiveness of sins and which was engraved on tablets of stone, was glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7); but compared to the ministry of the Spirit it has no glory because of this ministry’s exceeding and abundant glory. 2 Corinthians 3:10. The ministry of death—the law—can chasten a person to Christ so he can receive eternal life and an earthly glory. Galatians 3:24 and Revelation 21:3-4. The ministry of the Spirit, on the other hand, leads us to all God’s fullness (Ephesians 3:19), so we can inherit all things to­gether with Jesus. Romans 8:17 and Colossians 2:9-10. There is a very great difference between the ministry of death and the ministry of the Spirit. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowl­edge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33.

The knowledge of God has always been a strong point with the brothers and sisters, and this must continue; otherwise, one is a child who is tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14. We need to be along in growing up to the Head, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 and 15. Then we will comprehend the unspeakably great glory of God we are called to in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:4.