- You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 2 Corinthians 3:2 – Imagine the church world at the time of Paul. So many churches were being started all throughout the Roman empire by Paul and others. Often church leaders, members, or missionaries would travel from one place to the next, visiting the different churches like we read about Paul doing in Acts. Yet how would the local churches know for sure if these traveling leaders were legitimate? If they wanted to speak and share a message, how could the church be sure they were listening to real church leaders, not just those pretending to be. For anyone at this time could come and say, “I’ve been sent by Paul with a message,” or “The Apostles have brought a message to you.” How these churches would discern if these traveling leaders were legitimate is by letters of recommendation. Their sending churches could write a letter saying they were true, and this would give the visited church the peace to know they weren’t just giving any guy off the street the pulpit. In Paul’s case, the church in Corinth was wanting his letter of recommendation. His response? He told the church THEY were his letter of recommendation! The fact that there was even a church in Corinth at all is evidence that Paul was legitimate. The lives changes for the Gospel and the presence of the church in Corinth was a testimony to the truth that Paul was following Jesus. What then is your “letter or recommendation?” By what in your story can others look at so they can have evidence you’re truly a follower of Jesus? Are there lives that know Jesus as a result of your Gospel sharing? Are there ministries going because of your efforts? Of course its God bringing the growth and power, but is there any evidence in your life of God using you for His work? That’s your letter of recommendation. By the work you put in for the Lord, let there be no questions you’re with Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3126
- But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 2 Corinthians 3:16 – Picture something like a wedding veil. See how it covers the eyes and face of the one wearing it making it difficult, if not impossible, to see the face of the one behind it. Within this passage we see a “veil” remaining unlifted in the lives of the people talked about. Meaning they couldn’t see behind this veil. What was behind it? The glory and salvation of God. They had been trying to lift the veil to see that salvation in their own way, but in v.14 it says only Jesus can lift the veil for them. What all is this saying? If you want to see God’s salvation and glory, only Jesus can do that for you. Only turning to Him and letting Him lift that veil will you ever be able to experience what’s behind it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 – Amen, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom for all who turn to Him. This passage is contrasting the old covenant of following the law to the new covenant created by Jesus for us. For us today, let’s just learn one thing from all this. We are free now because of this new covenant because the Spirit of God can dwell within us. The old had its purpose, but was fulfilled in Jesus. Now Jesus has opened the doors for the new covenant where the Spirit of God can freely be with us. Now freedom from guilt, shame, works, and death are ours through the Spirit of God that is with us. Meaning you are free from holding onto all that because of Jesus. You’re not chained to your sin anymore if you have Jesus so stop living under that umbrella of shame. You’re free now, live like it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 721
- Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who 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 Corinthians 3:4-6 – Keep in mind it’s not us that is bringing about the change you see in those around you. Sometimes it can be tempting when we see hearts changing and lives turning to Jesus to think it was our doing that made all this happen. This passage reminds us that we on our own are not sufficient to bring about such change. We can’t heal broken hearts, we can’t transform minds, we can’t save anyone from their sin. It’s God through us making those changes. How deeply important it is then that we are inviting Him into our worship times and conversations with others. If He is the waymaker and miracle worker, not us, then how silly would it be to step into any service of God without His hand being in it! Invite Him in, welcome His voice, make room for His presence, and accept His lead. Then we can begin to see God’s work being done within the lives of those He’s called us to love. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2063
Daily DEVO 