Thursday, July 10, 2025

Ministry of the Spirit vs. Ministry of Righteousness

 

Ministry of the Spirit vs. Ministry of Righteousness

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:8 How much more glorious is the ministry of the Spirit?

2 Corinthians 3:9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of justification is much more glorious.

 

Analysis Item

Ministry of the Spirit

Ministry of Righteousness

Core Meaning

The ministry of the Spirit as life and life supply

The ministry that makes people right with God, with others, and with themselves

Essential Character

Inner life supply

Outer manifestation of God

Main Function

Gives life (life-giving)

Makes people righteous (manifests God)

Focus

Life supply and growth

Proper relationships and manifestation

Direction of Work

From within outward

 (supplying life from within)

From within outward

(manifesting from within outward)

Level of Experience

Feelings of life, peace, joy, vitality

Proper relationships, appropriate behavior, alignment with God

Main Biblical Basis

• 2 Cor 3:6 "The Spirit gives life"

• Phil 1:19 "The bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ"

• 2 Cor 3:17 "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom"

• John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life"

• 2 Cor 3:9 "The ministry of righteousness"

• 1 Cor 15:34 "Awake righteously"

• Rom 1:17 "The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel"

• 2 Cor 5:21 "Become the righteousness of God in Him"

Contrast with Old Testament

Opposed to the ministry of the letter that kills

Opposed to the ministry of condemnation

New Testament Character

Not of the letter but of the Spirit

Not condemnation but justification and living out righteousness

Common Misconceptions

Mistaken as ministry of power, miracles, gifts

(e.g., being slain in the spirit, gold teeth fillings, etc.)

Mistaken as merely justification or external moral behavior

(shallow concept of not doing wrong things)

Correct Understanding

Life supply that makes people alive, not power or impact

Makes people aligned with God in all aspects, not just external behavior

Personal Life Application

Having living, real feelings within

Inner restraint when wanting to quarrel

Growth of tree of life, flowing of river of life

Experience of peace, joy, rest

Harmonious relationships with spouse and children

Knowing the Lord's mind and will

Being right in all matters big and small

Knowing how to treat people and handle affairs

Church Life Application

Being infused with the Spirit in meetings

Life-giving Spirit supplied through ministry

Receiving supply unconsciously

Longing to attend meetings to receive supply

Awakening from spiritual slumber

Being right with all saints and the church

Manifesting God's image

Having proper function in the church

Criteria for Judgment

Whether there is life supply and growth

Whether the inner life is living and real

Whether one is right with God, with others, and with oneself

Whether God's image is manifested

Specific Experience Description

Something working within after meetings

Life within even when outwardly unhappy

Negative emotions swallowed up when turning to the Lord

Inner transparency like crystal purity

Awakening righteously, no longer intoxicated and asleep

Whole person in the Lord's will

Conduct according to the Lord's mind

Becoming a righteous person, manifesting God

Relationship with God

God's Spirit dwelling within, supplying life

Proper relationship with God, doing God's will

Relationship with Others

Proper interpersonal relationships through life supply

Being right and appropriate in all relationships

Relationship with Self

Having life's feeling and guidance within

Whole person in God's will

Ultimate Goal

Making people completely alive with abundant life

Making people completely manifest God, becoming God's image

Mutual Relationship

Inner supply, laying foundation for ministry of righteousness

Outer manifestation, showing the effect of the Spirit's ministry

Coordination Principle

First having the Spirit as life supply

Then having righteousness as God's manifestation

Inseparability

Both are essential components of New Testament ministry, indispensable

Both are essential components of New Testament ministry, indispensable

Practical Result

Inner life supply, people come alive

Outer manifestation of righteousness, God gains manifestation

Ultimate Significance

Making people gain divine life

Making people become God's manifestation

 

Summary:

The New Testament ministry is the ministry of both the Spirit and righteousness, these two aspects are inseparable:

  • Ministry of the Spirit: Supplies us with life, makes us alive (inner)
  • Ministry of Righteousness: Makes us right with God, with others, and with ourselves, becoming God's manifestation (outer)

When we experience the Spirit as life supply within us, we naturally become righteous, aligned with God in all aspects, and this is the manifestation of God's image. The two complement each other, together constituting the complete New Testament ministry.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 5: Righteousness of the Bride.

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