The glory of ministry

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:   How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?   For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.   For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.   For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

There is no doubt that the Jews knew there was glory in being God’s chosen nation. God gave the Jews His Law. It was enscribed in stone. It was their’s and there was a certain amount of glory in that. Those who did a decent job of keeping the Law could find some sense of glory in that.

The glory though is always going to fall short because it is based on our efforts and we are always going to fail. We are humans and sinners – how well can we really do?

Paul in the the midst of a tough time in his ministry. He says though, despite the hardships, that he has cause to glory.

Our glory does not come in success in the world’s eyes. Our glory comes in the very fact that we get to take part in the ministry of reconciling men to God.

Think about it – God allows us, sinners, to take part in His divine work of turning men from their sin to His love.