"Genuine" September 19 Readings: Isaiah 49, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 106:42–48, Proverbs 23:11–12

Today's Readings - Isaiah 49, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 106:42–48, Proverbs 23:11–12

Devotional 

As a pastor, I have been asked to write letters of recommendation frequently over the years - for a student applying to a college, for someone seeking a ministry position, for a variety of reasons. I write these letters of recommendation to (within the boundaries of honesty) extol the character and potential of the person who asked for the letter.

In 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul describes his letter of recommendation. How did he commend himself to others as genuine, as a true servant of God. There is a fact of life in ministry and in service to God - someone will question you, accuse you, belittle you, denigrate you, and say that your faith is not genuine. It was a problem even in the Early Church. False teachers rose up and went to the churches Paul established seeking to gain followers for their own ends. How was Paul to prove that he was truly from God? The false teachers often brought letters of commendation from others praising them. Paul had no such thing.

But, in 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul claimed he had something much more.

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Paul was not concerned with the opinions and commendations of others - it was not the approval of man that he craved. Paul had one and only one letter of recommendation that proved his faith and his ministry genuine. Throughout the world and especially in Corinth were many people whose lives had been radically changed by the Jesus whose gospel Paul preached. Others could persuade them with rhetoric and human manipulation, but Paul was the one God used to change their eternity.

Christian success (an inherently dubious term) is measured by faithfulness to God and impact in the lives of others. Paul's proof was the lives the Corinthians lived, their memories of his service to them, and the work he had done among them.

The measure of a man or woman of God is seen in the lives of others.

Father, may my life and ministry be a success, because you use me to make a difference in many people's lives!

Think and Pray

View your life as a "letter of recommendation" - a demonstration that God is working through you. What spiritual impact are you having on the lives of those around you?
What changes might God be making in you to increase that impact?