This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Although I am teaching on success right now, and not necessarily on salvation, the two topics are certainly related. Yesterday I took you back to the comparison between the Old and New Covenants as I discussed God’s grace for eternal salvation and earthly success. Today’s message flows in the same vein. Paul described the differences between the Old and New Covenants and he then made it clear that part of our earthly assignment is to bring God glory. But think about that for a minute. What could you DO to bring glory to God? The answer is nothing. What you can do is allow the glory of God to flow through you and to become a reflection of His glory in the earth. The Apostle Paul said:
“The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away… whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Cor 3:7-18)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The Old Covenant was written on stone and it led to death. The New Covenant is written on our hearts and it leads to eternal life.
2. The Old Covenant had a glory that faded away. The New Covenant has a glory that emanates from God’s eternal presence IN us; a glory that never fades.
3. The Old Covenant brought condemnation. The New Covenant establishes us in righteousness; not because we earn it or deserve it, but only because of God’s grace.
4. The New Covenant glory and righteousness makes us bold, confident, assured and settled, because it is not based on our performance. This Covenant is based on Jesus’ finished work.
5. The Old Covenant restricted mankind, telling us what we could NOT do. The New Covenant brings liberty and power through the Holy Spirit, telling us all that we CAN do through Christ.
6. The more we behold the glory of the New Covenant, the more we are changed into the image we behold. We literally BECOME what we BEHOLD. This is why it is so very important to focus and meditate on the fact that we are the righteousness of God in Christ.
7. Each believer should pursue the specific success associated with his or her unique purpose. But there is also an assignment we all have, a general assignment, and that is to reflect God’s glory.
8. The more you are changed into the image and likeness of God, the more you reflect the glory of the Lord in our daily living. When people look at you, the Father wants them to see Jesus.
9. Reflecting Jesus is part of your assignment and the more you reflect Him, the more you will experience earthly success. I am a witness!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for taking the time to teach me about Your amazing and undeserved grace. The Old Covenant served it’s purpose in my life. I came to the conclusion that I was a sinner, standing in need of a Savior. I accepted Your Son Jesus as my Lord, and I embraced the New Covenant You ratified with His sinless blood. I am now covered by the Blood of Jesus, filled with Your Holy Spirit, forgiven of inward iniquity, upward sin and outward transgression, and called according to Your Kingdom plans and purposes for my life. I pursue the specific assignment You have given me — prepared for me before the world began. I also accept and embrace the general assignment we as believers all have — to bring glory to Your name. However, I realize I could never be good enough to bring You glory. My works could never be righteous enough to glorify Your name. So I do all I can do, and that is to DIE to self. I focus on You and Your glory. The more I BEHOLD Your glory the more I BECOME what I BEHOLD. I live my life as a reflection of Your glory and I seek to become a conduit of Your love and light everywhere I go. This way You are glorified, people are edified, and satan is terrified. The more I become a reflection of Your glory, the more I experience earthly success. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
