Ministers of Life by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7-8).

The Apostle Paul, in our theme scripture was comparing the awesome difference between the Old and the New Testaments. Without mincing words, he calls the ministration of the Old Testament “the ministration of death.” What does this mean?

Now, understand something about the Law: it came that condemnation might stand. When the Law was read, death was ministered; people were condemned; spiritual death became a consciousness. Recall Paul’s words in Romans 7:9, “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” The law was given because of sin, so that sin might be shown to be what it really is (Read Romans 7:13).

Now, the Old Testament couldn’t fulfill God’s intention which was to give life to men. Rather, it brought death, because of the imperfections of the flesh. No one could fulfill the Law; none could totally rise to the level that the law prescribed. But thanks be unto God! Christ Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law. The Bible says through Him, all are justified from all things from which they couldn’t be justified by the Law of Moses (Acts 13:39).

The Bible says He’s brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). So, today, when we preach the true New Testament, we’re ministering the Spirit; the Spirit of life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 says we’re able ministers of the New Testament: “...not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

This should be your dream and desire: you want your ministration to be a ministration of life; a ministration of the Spirit. Someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus should hear you, and be transformed, because of the release of the spirit of life in your ministration that leaves salvation, healing, deliverance, and other blessings in its wake!

Prayer:
Dear Father, I thank you for the privilege given to me to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and minister life to those in my world, through the Gospel. Thank you for the power of the Spirit and the life in your Word released as many hear the Gospel today, bringing about a complete transformation in their lives, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Numbers 6:23-26; Ecclesiates 8:4; Colossians 4:6

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 11:1-16 & 2 Kings 10-12

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 11:30-34 & Proverbs 19