The Ministry of Glory

There is a salvation through the life of Christ, after we have been reconciled by His death. Rom. 5:10. This salvation through life is the revelation of the eternal, mighty life force which breaks its way out of death toward perfection—the Father.

The ministry of condemnation was glorious. Only something glorious could bring judgment over things that are corruptible, and only that glory could cause Moses’ face to radiate. However, the radiance of that glory faded when sin was condemned in the flesh, because then the glory penetrated more deeply into the earthen vessel in order to drive out the things that are not in harmony with its very nature and essence.

God has made us sufficient 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 Cor. 3:6.

Servants of the Spirit, a minister of a new covenant, God’s co-workers; these terms express a ministry within the body, that is, the church. What a beautiful ministry, yet what opposition it provokes. Sin in the flesh comes forth with a vengeance when this new life force is preached, and people feel that they are completely within their rights when they seek to save their lives in this world. No one needs to die—no one needs to abstain from anything. Everything is just fine as it is. People despise the ministry of glory because they cannot comprehend it with their carnal mind. However, those who receive this life of glory understand and know the power and blessedness that is in this life. This life gives us a love for God and a love for our fellow man. We put off the old man and put on the new man. But these are all mysteries of godliness which are revealed in the Spirit. God gives the Spirit according to His own will. Heb. 2:4. God looks to those whose heart is upright before Him, those who want something more. Those who seek earnestly will receive His good Spirit, which will lead them and help them to search out the glories that are in the light. For whoever has, to him more will be given.

We can only receive our heavenly inheritance after a death has taken place—a death which redeems us from the sins committed under the first covenant. Heb. 9:15. But now He has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Not only that, He has also given us the ministry of reconciliation. Rom. 5:11. The ministry of glory is not a ministry of redemption from sins committed under the first covenant. No, that ministry is called the ministry of death. The ministry of glory is a ministry that works in conjunction with the second Adam who became a life-giving spirit. It is a ministry in the perfect law of liberty, a ministry with an unveiled face, because this glory will abide forever. It is a ministry where the Son mediates the way to the Father—He who is the very essence of perfection. Everything that is in part and that is divided longs and yearns for this.