Who, me?

We say this because we have confidence in God through Christ. There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
(verses 4-6)

Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

This is an important passage for all who serve God in any way, whether ordained or a layperson. It spells out clearly how frail human beings can be used as powerful servants of God.

It’s got nothing to do with what we are or what we bring to the deal. If it did, none of us would ever serve God in even the smallest way. Like John the Baptist, we wouldn’t even be worthy to tie Jesus’ sandals.

Rather, it is God who makes us his workers. He makes us capable of being his workers. In Christ, God makes us into everything we need to be to do his work.

We become part of the new covenant that God promised his people in Jeremiah 31:31. This covenant is not based on laws written on stone or traditions set in concrete. It is about people with the love of God placed in their hearts by the Spirit, made capable through a covenant based on the forgiveness of sins.

This is what enables us to serve God, inadequate (when using our own devices) though we be. We can serve because God enables us to serve, and the Spirit empowers us to serve.

So go in peace, and serve the Lord.

Father, I thank you that, in Jesus, my sin is forgiven and I am set free to be you r servant. Let me be what you have made me to be. Amen.

by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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