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Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! ~ 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Paul clearly lays out the differences in the Old Covenant and compares them to the New Covenant, ushered in by the death of Christ Jesus. There are stark contrasts between the two covenants.
First, the New Covenant is a ministry of life – as Paul wrote, “the law kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). The end of the law is death. That is the wages of sin. In the New Covenant, you receive life, Christ’s life.
Next, it is a ministry of righteousness – the law is a ministry of condemnation. There is no way to feel close to God when you keep failing to live up to His commands. In the New Covenant, God makes you righteous in Jesus. You are accepted.
The New Covenant is eternal – the Old Covenant was temporary. It ended at the cross. The New is eternal. Jesus’ promises last forever, which means you are eternally secure in Christ.
Why would we ever want to go back to the Old Covenant, the one that brought condemnation and death? Jesus ushered in the New Covenant; the Covenant of grace that brought righteousness and life.
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Bob Christopher