Strength in Weakness: Cultivating Sincere Faith | Listen to Sermon Audio
An “Open Letter” Life
Among the number of issues Paul addresses to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians is the issue of “letters of recommendation” (3:1). In Paul’s day popular teachers/orators would present these letters to different audiences essentially as a way to demonstrate their supposed credibility and reputation, much like someone recognizable today would endorse a book written by a particular author in order to bring attention to that book. Paul, the Corinthians complained, had no such letters of recommendation, and as such, lacked credibility.
In response, Paul replies that the Corinthians themselves are his letters of recommendation (3:2). He doesn’t care about having reputable endorsements from so-called celebrities of that day; rather, he says that what really matters is the evidence of what the Lord has done in the lives of the Corinthians. Paul says that Christ has written a letter on their hearts, and the “pen” he has written it with is the Holy Spirit (3:3). In other words, all who have placed their faith in Christ are meant to be an open letter to the world, reflecting the Lord’s transforming love and grace.
So, we should approach whatever it is we’re doing this week like an open letter, reflecting that our hearts and lives and words and actions and attitudes have been re-written through Christ. We are meant to be living, breathing letters that communicate to others the good news of Christ in a difficult time, ones who love and welcome and hope and rejoice and extend hospitality and endure suffering with patience.
Heavenly Father, help us to be living letters that reflect your authorship in all we do!