The New Covenant Mentality

Have you ever got stuck reading a certain passage of Scripture. Recently, I am "stuck" on 2 Corinthians chapter three. In this passage, the Apostle Paul clearly shows that there is a New Covenant that has come into place since the death of Christ. This New Covenant is to be the "policy manual" for the Christian. Unfortunately, many Christians are still operating with an Old Covenant mentality. They approach God on the basis of their performance, they labor under a "works" mentality, and ministry becomes tainted with religiosity and legalism. But 2 Corinthians 3 tells us that the Old Covenant is a ministry of "death" and "condemnation." If we want our lives to be snuffed out and die a slow death, then the Old Covenant is where we want to be! But if we want life, joy, peace, and wellness, then we must turn to the New Covenant and renew our minds to this new way of living!

As I continue to meditate on this passage, we see several truths concerning this New Covenant:

1. In the New Covenant, the emphasis is on living from the heart and not being dictated by a book of rules and regulations (verse 3).

2. In the New Covenant, the emphasis is on depending upon the sufficiency of Christ and not relying upon self-sufficiency (verses 4 and 5).

3. In the New Covenant, the emphasis is on living and enjoying life as Christ infuses His life into every area of our life (v6).

4. In the New Covenant, we are given the ability to have ever-increasing revelation and a closer relationship with the Father (v7-8).

5. In the New Covenant, we can have a greater expectation of miracles, God's manifest presence, and blessings in our lives (v8-9).

6. In the New Covenant, we are given a guarantee that if we teach the right message, we will get the right results (v9).

7. In the New Covenant, we no longer need to live by the dictations and burden of the Old Covenant (v10-11 Amplified version).

8. In the New Covenant, there is no need for hesitancy, wonder, or questioning; ministers of the New Covenant can be bold, emphatic, certain, and fearless (v12).

9. In the New Covenant, there is no need for hype, playacting, showiness; we are free to be authentic, transparent, and real (v13-14).

10. In the New Covenant, the moment you turn to Christ, the veil is taken away (v15-16).

11. In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit has full liberty to work (v17).

Praise God the veil has been lifted! There is no hindrance to our relationship with the Father. The glory of God is now in us! Once we get rid of the law mentality, we can see the grace and goodness of God clearly!