LIVING EPISTLES
2 Corinthians 3: 1-6
The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to various people or churches are generally referred to as epistles. An epistle is usually addressed to a specific person, group or groups of people. In our text Paul declares:
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God: not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
What the apostle is trying to pass across is deep and rich. He calls believers letters written to and read of all men! There is a popular saying that the people of the world do not read bible but read believers. We are the bible they read. In other words, whatever they see in or hear from us is the bible. If we behave well, we are their biblical example. If otherwise, we are still their bible.
The Implications of the metaphor of epistle are many. Firstly, you are not your own maker. No letter writes itself. There must be an author. In this case God is the author and you are the letter. You are not an orphan. You belong to God. He wrote and packaged you to your world with a message. That message is your purpose. Every letter delivers its message without wavering and fearlessly so. You must also pursue your purpose with doggedness and courage. You must not deviate as any attempt to do so will make you come short of your destiny.
Letters maintain their identity. They won’t change from what they started with, irrespective of the situation around them. You also must maintain your identity in Christ no matter what. You are like salt. It will not change its nature and character while yet affecting its environment. Dearly beloved, you are God’s letter to the world. Let people read you and get a message from the Lord. Live purposefully. Reflect the character and thought of God, your author. Maintain your identity. You are the bible the world reads. Let the world find God in you.
MEDITATION: How much of God do people see in me?
