Ye Are Our Epistle – 2 Corinthians 3
‘Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:’ — 2 Corinthians 3:2
A power struggle was going on in Corinth. New teachers had come along seeking to undermine the authority and message of Paul. This was concerning because a rejection of Paul was also a rejection of Paul’s Aposotlic teaching.
The new teachers carried letters of commendation (or recommendation) that they felt established their authority. Paul responded by saying, ‘Ye are our epistle!’ The visible evidence of their lives changed by the gospel he preached was Paul’s living ‘letter’ of commendation.
They were forever written in the heart of Paul and the others who worked with him, and they could be known and read of all men. He would never forget them. He loved them. And they were visible proof of His ministry to everyone.
It made me think about my ministry. Can others see the impact of my ministry in the lives of other people? Are there any living epistles around that God has used me to write?
Not that we use people to establish our own position, but our ministry is to be blessing, changing and impacting others. The only way to do that is to have the power that comes from the Spirit of the living God (v.3). Only He can change hearts. And only He can break us and make us so that we can be used by the Lord.
So, let us write some epistles this week. Let us go forth in the power of the Spirit with the gospel of Christ and see the Lord write new evidences of His power in the lives and hearts of others.