Devotion: 2 Corinthians 3:17

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Today we look specifically at the role the Holy Spirit plays when it comes to our freedom. We have learned that it is through the sacrifice of Jesus as a human and the indwelling Spirit within us that we are adopted into the family of God (look back to Day 3, Romans 8:15). When God looks at us He does not see our sins and unholiness. He sees His Son. He sees the Spirit in us. And He accepts and loves us.

This verse is one that is often used to defend the concept of the Trinity – three Persons in one. It connects Jesus with the Spirit, just as we connect Jesus with God the Father. But knowing that can be a divisive topic, we will leave it at that and continue exploring the verse further.

Paul’s words contrasted the Law (condemnation) with the new covenant of the Spirit (life and freedom). The old rules and rituals used before Jesus came were never fully able to reconcile us to God. But now, through the Spirit, we have been set free, liberated from the burdens of sin and death, and live in fellowship with Him. We now live in the fullness of His love, free from the chains of sin and guilt.

Paul told us that where the Spirit is there is freedom and we have already learned that the Spirit is within us. Therefore, we are free. The veil between us and God’s glory is no longer obstructing our view and keeping us away from His presence. We can now have direct access to God.

Thanks to the Spirit within us, we are being transformed each and every day. We are being changed from one who is unworthy and filled with sin to children of God, loved, cherished, accepted, and free. Because we experience the Spirit within us, we are never alone, and instead we are empowered and guided into a life that is pleasing to God.

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