Just Living Out Your Salvation Is Enough
[2] You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. [3] And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, 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 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.
There is something awesome about a real, living example. Paul commended the church in Corinth because they were becoming a great proof that what he was preaching was true. As they believed it, they lived it out, and Christ worked in their lives to prove Himself the Savior of the world.
One time I knew a world-record dead-lift contender. He was training at a gym in Evansville and was in a small group Bible study with me. One time, as if I could ever participate with him in something like that, I asked him where he went to work out. He named some gym and I was surprised.
“Isn’t that a little place in an old building?” I said.
“Don’t judge a gym by what’s in it, but by what comes out of it.” He came back without a flinch.
That has stuck with me ever since! Shiny weights and bright lights count for signing up new members, but if that gym produced a guy that might actually set a world record, I don’t think it matters how shiny the weights are!
Paul was making the same statement. It didn’t matter what kind of credentials he had, he didn’t have to prove himself. The Corinthians could see from the changes in their own lives that what Paul had taught them was true. From there other people of Corinth would watch, see, and learn about Christ even though the people of Corinth didn’t have papers of education or registration as super-Apostles.
As soon as Christ is sealed a person by faith, He has equipped them with a mission. It might not be glorious and sexy, but God is positively thrilled about it. As we walk out that mission, we get closer and closer to knowing and trusting God.
God is so smart. As the Holy Spirit moves inner lives to teach and grow us in faith, it can show to other people — even on accident — and increase their faith too.
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