His Way, Not Ours

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

HIS WAY NOT OURS

2 Cor 3:1-3

3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

NIV

This has some personal aspects regarding Paul and how he tells the church in Corinth, they are his letter of recommendation. The fact that in a city of such corruption, his labor along with his fellow servants firmly established a church that has gained a reputation in the whole region, as well as back in Jerusalem. In essence, it is not what we write the matters as much as how we may influence the hearts of others, encouraging them to live for God. It is not unusual in our times, to write resumes enumerating all our achievements and past endeavors, including names of individuals that would recommend us. Paul says he has no need for such a device as a resume, for his is written on the hearts of those people in Corinth. What about us? Do we really have need of the recommendations of men? Would it not be better to have the approval of God? But then again, are we seeking recognition of man, or of God? Boasting about our successes, or our achievements whether they are of the secular or spiritual nature may well be viewed as wanting the slap on the back or a “Great job” from people, while we may or may not be doing that which pleases the Lord. In fact, boasting certainly does not please Him. If we are to boast, we need to boast about Christ. Any skills, any abilities, any achievements we may have accomplished are completely due to His work in our lives. We merely have to look at the transformation that occurred in the life of Paul and see how God is the one who transforms us. He has done it, transforming us from what we were and made us into who we are so that He can use us to have an impact for His kingdom. Once again, our lives are not about how well we can elevate ourselves, but how well we can represent Christ, and that is entirely due to the working of the Spirit within us. It is difficult to receive praise from people, although it seems that should be a natural response for doing a “Good job”. Yet, it is not us that does that great job, but the Spirit working through us, or at least it should be. It is possible that with the proper training, a great educational background, and experience, we could simply act out our part by our human effort and do a “Good job”. But then who gets the credit and who are we seeking credit for, ourselves or God. All we are, all have, all we do, all we say is due to the Lord. Without Him, we are nothing but a sounding symbol, a clanking bell, a noise with no voice. If we need any resume, it should be what is in the hearts of those people we encounter. Have we impacted their lives any? Have we improved their lives in some way? Have we encouraged them, helped strengthen their walk with God? Has the Spirit had his way in us, with us, and through us? It is all about His way, not ours.