THE WAY GOD'S WORD IS TO BE MINISTERED: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:5-8

Believing in the faithfulness of God's Word does not guarantee that we will minister that truth in the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 4:15 said "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—” ‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬. http://bible.com/114/eph.4.15.nkjv). This describes growth and maturity in the body of Christ as being related to our "speaking the truth in love." In the words of 2 Corinthians 3:6 "who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.(NKJV)", the apostle Paul warns of the danger of God's Word being ministered literally but not life-givingly.

We need not wonder if this is possible, since the Spirit of Truth (I John 4:6 :- ...This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. NIV)and the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2:- because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.NIV). are the same - the Holy Spirit!

Blending both will always reveal three things:

1). A faithfulness to "keep straight" - "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.(2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV). "Rightly dividing the Word of Truth" means putting forward the Truth, faithfully and forthrightly. This verse was never intended to "dividing" the Word by segmenting it, but rather to a straightforward dealing with all the truth in all its implications.

2). A constant presence of love, even in the most demanding declarations of correction or judgment. In the texts above (@ Cor. 3:6 and Eph. 4:15) we have already discussed this, but human tendencies need this reminder.

Urgency may attend our message and passion infuse our delivery; but anger, impatience, and irritation are not of the life-giving Spirit, however literally accurate interpretation of the Bible or preaching thereof may be.

3). An expectation of signs to follow the preaching of God's Word. Jesus promise this, and the early church tasted its beginnings (Mark 16:15-20); Paul described it as normative in his ministry (I Cor. 2:1-5; I Thess. 1:5); and the Book of Hebrews endorsed this as a part of the "so great salvation" we have been provided (Heb. 2:1-4).

This last reference shows that the confirmation of God's Word with signs and wonders not only is to verify Christ's living presence where His gospel is preached, but also is to warn us against drifting from the new life to which we have been called.