Local Church Discussions - View Single Post - Reading the Bible does not Give us the Spirit

JJ · 10-23-2016, 08:33 PM

[QUOTE=testallthings;52148]JJ wrote:

I've been sitting on the sidelines of this topic. 2 Corinthians suggests there is a veil that lies over hearts that can make reading scripture just killing letters that is done away with in Christ as one turns their heart to the Lord to receive the freeing and transforming Spirit while gazing at and reflecting the glory of the Lord.

http://biblehub.com/nasb/2_corinthians/3.htm

I'm always amazed how often it is about who our heart is turned to, and where our eyes are pointed.... the Lord Jesus Christ!

JJ,
I am not going to analyze 2 Corinthians 3 in detail.
2Co 3:12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
2Co 3:13 and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away:
2Co 3:14 but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.
2Co 3:16 But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Paul was saying that when the Jews (the children of Israel) read Moses (Moses' writing, or the old covenant) there is a veil over their heart. That veil can be removed only when their hearts turn to the Lord.
Moses covered his face with a veil, Paul did not.

2Co 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Paul was comparing the two covenants. The law could not give life.
Rom 7:10 and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:
It is the Spirit that gives life.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The moment we believed in the Lord Jesus, and His Spirit got into us to regenerate us, if there was a veil ( I say if because Paul is referring to the children of Israel, but let's assume Gentiles had the same veil) it was taken away. Now when we come to the Bible, with an open heart and with prayer, for the purpose of knowing more about God and His will, are we just going to get more knowledge about Him or do we expect to experience more of God, Christ, and the Spirit?

Brother George Mueller (and many other servants of God) read the Bible hundred of times (someone said 200 times), and prayed over the Bible every day of his life. Does anyone believe that if he hadn't spend time in God's Word in the way he did, his life and ministry would have been the same?

Without the Word, there is no knowledge of God. How do we know God loves the world? How do we know we have been saved? How do we know we are children of God? How do we know what God wants? How do we know God listen to prayers?... God and His Word go together. The Word leads us to God and God leads us to His Word. The more we know the Word, the more we will go to God. The more we pray the Word the more we will experience God (or God's Spirit).

I agree with you, Testallthings

10-23-2016, 08:33 PM	#21
JJ Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 1,006	Re: Reading the Bible does not Give us the Spirit [QUOTE=testallthings;52148]JJ wrote: I've been sitting on the sidelines of this topic. 2 Corinthians suggests there is a veil that lies over hearts that can make reading scripture just killing letters that is done away with in Christ as one turns their heart to the Lord to receive the freeing and transforming Spirit while gazing at and reflecting the glory of the Lord. http://biblehub.com/nasb/2_corinthians/3.htm I'm always amazed how often it is about who our heart is turned to, and where our eyes are pointed.... the Lord Jesus Christ! JJ, I am not going to analyze 2 Corinthians 3 in detail. 2Co 3:12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 2Co 3:13 and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away: 2Co 3:14 but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ. 2Co 3:15 But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. 2Co 3:16 But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Paul was saying that when the Jews (the children of Israel) read Moses (Moses' writing, or the old covenant) there is a veil over their heart. That veil can be removed only when their hearts turn to the Lord. Moses covered his face with a veil, Paul did not. 2Co 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Paul was comparing the two covenants. The law could not give life. Rom 7:10 and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death: It is the Spirit that gives life. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The moment we believed in the Lord Jesus, and His Spirit got into us to regenerate us, if there was a veil ( I say if because Paul is referring to the children of Israel, but let's assume Gentiles had the same veil) it was taken away. Now when we come to the Bible, with an open heart and with prayer, for the purpose of knowing more about God and His will, are we just going to get more knowledge about Him or do we expect to experience more of God, Christ, and the Spirit? Brother George Mueller (and many other servants of God) read the Bible hundred of times (someone said 200 times), and prayed over the Bible every day of his life. Does anyone believe that if he hadn't spend time in God's Word in the way he did, his life and ministry would have been the same? Without the Word, there is no knowledge of God. How do we know God loves the world? How do we know we have been saved? How do we know we are children of God? How do we know what God wants? How do we know God listen to prayers?... God and His Word go together. The Word leads us to God and God leads us to His Word. The more we know the Word, the more we will go to God. The more we pray the Word the more we will experience God (or God's Spirit). I agree with you, Testallthings __________________ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NASB)