Credentials.

Most ministers have what are called credentials. They are usually a simple credit card shape with details of the governing body who ordained the person, their name and details etc. It means that when visiting places like hospitals and prisons there is proof they have been given authority to represent that group in being a minister.

It was the same in Paul’s time. The credentials were letters. To stop the lone-rangers and especially false apostles and prophets, reference letters were carried as these messengers went from city to city. Paul did the same thing.

But in writing to the Corinthians he veers away from external credentials and brings us to the core of authentic spiritual leadership.

“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. ³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. ⁴ Such confidence we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. ⁶ He has made us competent as 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 v 1-6)

Paul is saying to the Church, “I don’t need letters/credentials.”

Why?

“I have you.” Their transformed lives are the proof of his authenticity.

His use of the Old Testament law given by Moses on tablets of stone Paul moves us to see how because of Easter and then the outpouring of the Spirit, there is a New Covenant.

What can this mean for us?

• Are we the living letters? The world is reading us.
• What letters of recommendation do we rely on the most? Our experience of knowledge or of lives that have changed because God has used us?
• Authentic Credentials flow from hearts that are transformed by the Holy Spirit.