In this world accomplishments count. Go for an interview and the question is, “What have you done that makes you stand out from the other applicants?” It’s a mindset. So much so that people are judged by what they have done. Education, medals, trophies, income, personal achievements such as house and property, who you know and the list goes on. The world hasn’t changed much over the ages. It was so even in the first century of Christianity.
Paul, in II Corinthians 3:1, was asked to show his credentials at the church in Corinth. What a surprise especially since he had founded the church there and built it up. A little studying reveals that there were false apostles preaching who carried letters of introduction and recommendation from several churches. Interesting. If Paul were ever called to match his credentials with others, he was heads above the rest of them. His credentials are found in Philippians 3:4-6.
A quick look at verse 4 he says, “If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more.” He calls this confidence of the flesh. He also says that these things are counted as loss for Christ. You might wonder why he would say this.
After all, we work years to get established in this world and make a place for ourselves. Pastor Josh answered this. “The thing that we are counting on, the thing that we need most of all; more than the letter of recommendation, more than the references, more than the resume, more than human buildup or accolades, more than that: we need God. God is sufficient. Christ is sufficient.”
“We need Christians today who stand up and say we are trusting in what God says. Not trusting in what Facebook says, not trusting in likes and comments and shares. Not trusting in retweets and quotes, not trusting in thumbs up and smiley faces on Instagram. We need Christians who are truly dependent on God.”
Paul turns around, squares his shoulders and looks straight at them, the Corinthians and says, “Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” He was saying, “You are our recommendation.” Paul’s presence as a minister to them with his confidence in the sufficiency of Christ was able to lead them to the Holy Spirit. And that Spirit of the living God wrote on their hearts.
Paul, in II Corinthians 3:1, was asked to show his credentials at the church in Corinth. What a surprise especially since he had founded the church there and built it up. A little studying reveals that there were false apostles preaching who carried letters of introduction and recommendation from several churches. Interesting. If Paul were ever called to match his credentials with others, he was heads above the rest of them. His credentials are found in Philippians 3:4-6.
A quick look at verse 4 he says, “If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more.” He calls this confidence of the flesh. He also says that these things are counted as loss for Christ. You might wonder why he would say this.
After all, we work years to get established in this world and make a place for ourselves. Pastor Josh answered this. “The thing that we are counting on, the thing that we need most of all; more than the letter of recommendation, more than the references, more than the resume, more than human buildup or accolades, more than that: we need God. God is sufficient. Christ is sufficient.”
“We need Christians today who stand up and say we are trusting in what God says. Not trusting in what Facebook says, not trusting in likes and comments and shares. Not trusting in retweets and quotes, not trusting in thumbs up and smiley faces on Instagram. We need Christians who are truly dependent on God.”
Paul turns around, squares his shoulders and looks straight at them, the Corinthians and says, “Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” He was saying, “You are our recommendation.” Paul’s presence as a minister to them with his confidence in the sufficiency of Christ was able to lead them to the Holy Spirit. And that Spirit of the living God wrote on their hearts.
