DEVOTION 4/8
2 Corinthians 3:2 says, "You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men."
Brothers and Sisters,
The best letter I can remember receiving was from my fiancé between 1998 and 1999. I kept the letter for many years because of its heartfelt content. Many people of that era would understand how cherished letters were in those days. Today, writing letters has largely given way to technological advances, with phone calls now often used as an alternative. This makes it difficult to store and read a person's heartfelt words.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul expressed disappointment because the Christians' lives did not portray the content of their hearts. He reminded them that they are a living letter, which everyone knows and reads. A letter written in the heart, written for Christ, not with ink but with the Holy Spirit. Thus, their lives should serve as a public testament to their faith in Christ.
As we reflect on what it means to be a living letter, let us consider: what kind of letter do we represent? Are we written with ink or by the Holy Spirit? Who ministers to us? Paul encouraged the people not to peddle the word of God (2 Cor 2:17), but they should live a life that reflects the transformative power of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Letters written with ink on paper fade away, but when the Holy Spirit inscribes His precepts in us, we remain forever transformed. People will continue to know Christ through us and read His life in us; that is what we ought to be. Therefore, Christ calls each of us to embody His love and teachings, becoming a living letter for all to see.
Let us strive to live authentically according to Paul's guidance and trust in God's sufficiency through Christ. As we conclude, let us reflect on our role as epistles of Christ. Are we worthy of being recognised as living letters that people should know and read? What content is reflected in our lives compared to the epistle's content? May we continue to grow in our faith and represent Christ's love to the world.
Amen.
Challenge: Take time to reflect on your life and ask
someone to evaluate it, comparing whether it is worthy of Christ’s epistle.
