He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.

The Glory of the New Covenant

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.

If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!

But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.