July 11, 2012
SELF-CONFIDENCE VS. GOD-CONFIDENCE
2 Corinthians 3
Katie Alexander
Central Truth
Heart transformation occurs when we submit to Christ and seek Him above all else. We become more like Him so that others might know Him through us.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
2 Corinthians 3
Ministers of the New Covenant
1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our 1 3:2 Some manuscripts your hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 3:3 Greek fleshly hearts
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one 3 3:16 Greek he turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord 4 3:17 Or this Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, 5 3:18 Or reflecting the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 6 3:18 Greek from glory to glory For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 3
When my daughter wakes up, she often asks, "What are we doing today?" Later, she asks, "What are we doing next?" At bedtime, she asks, "What are we doing tomorrow?" When my husband hears these questions, he laughs because she reminds him of me. "What is our plan for the day?" is a question he frequently hears from me. The reality is that my daughter and I spend so much time together that she inevitably mimics many of my actions and words, good and bad. Realizing this, I often have feelings of inadequacy. How can I point my kids to Christ when I fail and fall into sin again and again? This is when my husband tells me, "You're giving yourself way too much credit!"
"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves but our adequacy is from God . . . ." (2 Corinthians 3:5) When we receive Christ, we also receive the Holy Spirit, and "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17b) There is freedom in knowing that when we surrender to the Lord's reign over our lives, His "power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV) The Spirit gives life, and this life is clearly not about us but all about Him.
It is awesome to think about Moses' face literally glowing after he spent time with God as described in Exodus 34. Moses' radiance faded away just as the law was temporary, but the light that comes from Christ's grace is permanent in all believers. Just as time spent with my daughter has made her more like me, the more time we spend with God, the more He will "rub off on us," and we, too, will radiate His being. But He does more than just rub. He chips away the ugly so there is less of us and more of Him. I'll never be a perfect mother for my kids, but I'm confident that I'm "being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory" by the One who is perfect. (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)
Discussion Questions
1. Do you have more self-confidence or God-confidence?
2. In what areas of your life are you trusting in yourself or others more than God?
3. Do feelings of inadequacy hinder your growth in Christ? If so, what steps can you take to overcome this hindrance?
4. How is God transforming you? Have you shared this with others?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
2 Corinthians 1-5 (July 9-13)
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.
• Verse 7 talks about our bodies being like fragile clay jars, what do you think this means?
• How do you see your body being fragile (both physically and spiritually)?
• Have you ever watched someone else experience verses 8 & 9; that is, go through really hard times, but not be "crushed"?
• What did you see in that person? What helped that person to continue to trust Jesus and show others He is faithful?
• What are ways that you might be "crushed" or "pressed"? (Think about school, work, sports, friends.)
• How can you trust the "treasure" inside of you to shine through even in the hard times?
Activity: Take time to write an encouraging letter to a person you have seen stay faithful and shine for Jesus even in hard times. And then write a letter to someone you know who is in the middle of hard times. Be sure to encourage them with Scripture, reminding them of the treasure they have and who is faithful. Now mail the letters to each of them.