2 CORINTHIANS 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

TO PONDER

Do the names Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker and Clarke Kent ring a bell for you? Why might you remember them?

Bruce Wayne was the civilian identity for Batman. Clarke Kent was a journalist who would slip off his suit jacket and trousers in a phone booth and be transformed into Superman, and Peter Parker was a very ordinary individual who became Spiderman. All three individuals were superheroes and possessed superpowers. They freed people from danger and saved citizens from evil. Oh, if only they weren’t fictitious!

In today’s text, Paul highlights the relationship between the Lord and the Holy Spirit. The Lord is the Holy Spirit. This underscores the Christian belief in the Trinity where God exists as three persons (God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit). Each separate member of the Trinity is the one person. Each one carries a level of power that surpasses the limits of human belief.

Paul asserts and provides surety to the Corinthians and to us, that the presence of the Holy Spirit brings freedom. Freedom to the church of Corinth of the day from the Old Covenant which was characterised by religious rules and laws of the time. In total contrast to the New Covenant of grace through faith in Christ, where believers are molded and shaped through the Holy Spirit into Christ-like people. We are set free to live in a way that reflects the glory of God, shining His light to those around us.

 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, (that is, living in our hearts) there is (i.e., we have) freedom.       

PRAYER:Lord of all.  We do not need fictitious superheroes when we know, love and have You. You, (our Father), sent Your one and only son (Jesus), to win our freedom from the chains of sin and slavery. You remain living with us through the Holy Spirit and mold us into Your likeness. Thank You for the surety and freedom that being your child provides for me. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping