Devotion: 2 Corinthians 3:12

2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

When I first read this verse, which HAS been taken out of context, I immediately had questions. I wondered, “What hope?” and “Bold for what reason?” I had to read back in the chapter to gain an understanding of the message being conveyed.

The first thing we need to remember as we look back is that Paul was writing about the hope they had in the new covenant – that of salvation through Christ. “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). He was reminding the Corinthian Church that it was not the Law that saved them, but the grace of God. Their hope was in Christ.

Paul’s next point was to discuss the glory of the old with the new – the glory that shone on Moses’ face compared to the glory of Christ, which far surpasses that of the old.

This then brings us to our verse. Since we have such a hope, a hope that is more glorious than anything imaginable, we can be bold. We can let that light shine in us and through us. We don’t have to try to diminish it or hide it, as Moses did with a veil over his face. But instead we can boldly let His glory shine through us for the world to see.

What does all of this mean then? The old covenant was good, and it had purpose. Much of it still is relevant today. But the new covenant, that of Christ, is far better and outshines the old. The old was based on the efforts of man to follow the Law. And it revealed the need for God’s grace and forgiveness. The grace and forgiveness we get through Christ and the faith we have in Him.

We no longer have to try to be absolved of our sins through continuous sacrifices. We don’t have to worry about breaking one of the commandments in the Law. We don’t have to trust in our own abilities to receive forgiveness. We place our trust in Jesus, and we are bold in our confidence that He has saved us and we are forgiven.

Is your hope in Jesus? If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, there is no better time than today. Message me and we can talk about it more.

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