Paul’s encouragement to the church in Corinth was to remember that we are not sufficient in ourselves…but in Christ, we have been made sufficient by his righteousness to boldly share the Good News about the Savior.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 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 4:5-6
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Observation
The confidence that a child of God has in sharing the gospel, is not a confidence of self-perfection, self-righteousness, or self-qualification. Rather, it is the confidence of knowing that every child of God is sufficient in Christ, through the life that he has given. Our message is not good news about our own qualifications…but rather the Good News about the Savior who reached down and shined his light in the darkness of our own hearts.
Application
Satan loves to discourage God’s children–indeed, discouragement is one of his favorite weapons. I love this passage in 2nd Corinthians–it gives me a glimpse into the struggles that Paul faced, as the enemy tried to discourage him and convince him that he was unworthy to share the gospel. Paul’s encouragement to the church in Corinth was to remember that yes–we are not sufficient in ourselves…but in Christ, we have been made sufficient by his righteousness to boldly share the Good News about the Savior.
Today, I’m reminded to stay focused on the One who I am called to proclaim. I’m not here to prove myself worthy, or to call attention to my self-proclaimed qualifications: rather I am called to point people to the One who has redeemed and saved my soul, and who desires to do the same for every person who has ever lived. If he can illuminate the dark recesses of my own heart, then he can do that for others also!
Prayer
Thank you God for this reminder that my qualification, my identity, and my righteousness comes from you alone! When the enemy seeks to discourage me, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. As I submit my own life to you, help me to point others to the same hope that I have in you.
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