He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6
Competency is the ability to do something. Most people want to be competent of something. Many wish they were competent of certain things that they do not feel competent in. There are also many people who think that they are competent in something that they are really not competent in.
Paul speaks of being competent of a new covenant, but not of the letter, but of the Spirit.
There are many believers who have studied the bible and know it very well. Some have gone to a bible college to get formal training, while others have just read it along with many commentaries. Knowing the bible in this way is good, but it is only learning the letter of the bible, it has not touched what the Spirit of the bible is.
Some believers will go around pointing fingers at people telling them what they should or should not do. They know the letter, the Law, of the Bible, but not the Spirit. When a person is pointed out what they have done wrong, it is only pointing out death. It brings on a death sentence upon the person. This is not life-giving.
God, in His infinite wisdom, brought about the new covenant, one that gives life. That new covenant is Jesus. He came to give life and give it abundantly. He did not come focusing on what not to do, but focused on what to do–living for God, how to live for God.
Every believer has been given this ability, to show life and present life. Sharing what Jesus has done for a person is bringing life to the person. It presents the ability to live a fulfilled life in Christ Jesus.
While it is needed to know what the Bible says, you must also know how to present it in a way that brings life and not death. Sharing God’s great love and mercy is a way of bringing about life to others.
Pointing fingers at sin will only bring condemnation and death.
While there is a time and place for revealing sin, it should not be your focus. Your focus should be on presenting Jesus to the lost in this world.
Are you bringing about life?
Or death?
I pray today that you will know what God’s word says; that you will know the Spirit of God’s word; that you will speak words that bring about life; and that you will know the life Jesus presents every person.
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