The Faithful Believer’s Epistle

Focus: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 – KJV - 2. Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3. Forasmuch 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.

The most powerful commendation of the gospel is not a document or a diploma, but a transformed human life. True believers are epistles of Christ, living letters written by the Holy Spirit. Our daily conduct, integrity, and character are being constantly known and read of men. You might be the only Bible a non-believer ever reads. The true believer is to disciple others directly or otherwise, to become the epistle read of men also, so that his legacy, as a believer in Christ, inures.

Timothy was the direct product of Paul's spiritual mentorship. Paul invested deeply in Timothy’s life, teaching him the scriptures and modeling a lifestyle of holiness. Timothy didn't rely on human ink or legalistic religious traditions. The Holy Spirit took the truths Paul taught and engraved them directly onto the fleshy tables of Timothy’s heart. This internal work produced a genuine, unfeigned faith that transformed his speech, his purity, and his love. Paul trusted Timothy's character so deeply that he sent him to difficult churches like Corinth and Ephesus to settle massive theological disputes. Paul confidently told the Philippians that they already knew the proof of him because Timothy's track record was so public and consistent. Timothy proved that a heart completely surrendered to the Holy Spirit becomes a living text that brings honor to the Master.

Today, the Lord is asking: how are you representing the Master in conduct and in speech? Can people who encounter you testify to your having been with Christ? Why is it that you profess something but your person depicts another thing entirely? Non conformity to being the epistles of Christ which we preach is clear hypocrisy, and the Lord condemns it. Why not turn a new leaf today by doing the will of God whether or not anyone is watching? Every unrighteousness shall be brought to judgment. May you not be judged.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord for discipling and grooming me in your word that I may know and be like you. Do help me by your Spirit to conform only to your being in all ramification of my life so that going forward, wherever I appear, Christ is seen through my person in all forms and actions. Let me never mislead anyone away from you – the Way, the Truth and the Life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please share. God bless you.