Since we have such a hope, we are very bold

In reading today's bible reading ( 2 Corinthians 1-4) from LifePoint Church (twitter @lifepointozark) we find Paul's great power chapter on the Glory of the Gospel Ministry. As I find with most of Paul's writings, there is so much goodness in such a compact chapter.

In verse 10 of Chapter 3, Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 3:9-10 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.

The ministry of righteousness (that is the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers - 1 Cor 15:3) is so much more glorious than the ministry of condemnation (the law). Paul's key reason given in 2 Cor 3:11 is that the ministry of righteousness is permanent whereas the ministry of condemnation was temporary and found its fulfillment in Christ (Matt 5:17-20).

Moreover, the Law was designed as our schoolmaster (Gal 3:24 KJV) to both restrain us from evil and point toward the need for a Savior. The Law teaches us that we cannot save ourselves.

To understand the statement in 2 Cor 3:12 - "Since we have such a hope, we are very bold" - we must first look at 2 Cor 3:4-6. Our competency and sufficiency - comes not from our own power but from God via the Cross of Christ and thru the work of the Spirit.

We can be very bold, because ultimately, "IT" DOES NOT DEPEND ON US. "It" includes all aspects of life and ministry. Your salvation does not depend on you. It is a gift from God via Christ (Eph 2:1-10). You had no part in it. Your eternal soul is secure because it does not depend on you to keep your self saved (Romans 8:31-39). God chooses who He wants to save (Romans 9:10-18), and He made that choice before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).