2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
What is the letter of the New Testament that kills? I don’t see it. Love, grace, unity of the spirit, fellowship, and help in times of trouble. I just didn’t get it. That was last night.
This morning I have another take. Is it right, is it wrong, does it relate? You tell me.
When I was a child my first teaching on writing came in the form of an exercise in connecting the dots. You had a letter at the beginning of the line, all filled out to copy. It was my job to connect the dots in a way that resulted in a letter that looked like that to the left. Practice, practice, practice, repetition is the price of knowledge.
The cursive writing came along in my education. There was that fluid movement that allowed for some variation, style, personality. I had one girl in class that loved to dot her I’s with a little heart. Over time it became her thing. She was no longer grade for her not sticking to the letter’s form.
Some do not write in cursive, they still print everything. Not because they cannot, only because they want to be understood. Cursive can be so individualized that it becomes illegible. That is why I type everything. I have substantial tremors, so I have a reason for illegible cursive handwriting.
So what does this have to do with the letter killeth? A friend said recently that he loved the diversity of the body of Christ. Each part fits according to the Master’s design. It is when we have that expectation that if you don’t look like me, if your letters are illegible, you have no value. That is what kills relationships. The issue of letters is to communicate. You do not have to write like I do, but if I cannot read your letters, then I have to find another way to relate to you, or our relationship will suffer.
Demanding that you use block lettering because I cannot read your letter will only frustrate and alienate you from me. But if you understand I don’t get it, then your cooperation is needed to find a way to keep connected.
Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
As ministers to others of the new covenant we minister by and through the power of the Holy Spirit, not according to the “letter of the law”. We are sufficient to minister only as the Holy Spirit empowers us through relationship not by reciting the laws to others.
I loved your mention of the girl who dotted her i’s with a little heart. It identified her as someone special, or at least different. I look at her as SPECIAL, because I know what a heart signifies.
Your devotion this morning, really touched my heart…..your closing verse and remarks summed it up so well.
“I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers….that the communication of your faith may remain effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 4&6. (I changed 1 word). May our Lord continue to bless you in your work for Him.