A Letter from Christ

As we’ve travelled I’ve been noticing how often people and organizations want to put their name on things.  I’m talking about things like,”We sponsored this marathon”.  Or, “this playground equipment was donated by…”.

Even Christians and churches do this sometimes, and I suppose there’s a time for that.  But thankfully, our greatest accomplishments aren’t parks or a buildings.

That’s why I love Paul’s words in 2Corinthians 3.  He had invested a lot in this church, and yet some questioned his credentials as an apostle.  What kind of sign or certificate did he need?

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?  Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?

But there has already been a sign put up – a letter of recommendation.  He continues…

You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.  And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.  Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.

It’s not the local park or gymnasium that gives us our value or our reputation.  It’s our investment in people.

Of course Paul realizes that the real power comes from God, not us.  He continues…

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…

He goes on to talk about the new covenant, revealed in Jesus Christ…

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

We do not lose heart.  Our names may not be on plaques or walls or on billboards.  But our goal is to be a part of the process that brings someone to the glory of Jesus Christ – the power of the Spirit – the mercy of God.

Of course we can’t really see human hearts – but someday the hidden will be revealed.  And maybe you and I will have some small part in the eternal life of another person – a letter from Christ.