2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Commending Ourselves

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NIV
Sometimes when I attend meetings, I end up doing something that I am not particularly fond of. That is that ice-breaker where we go around the room and everyone introduces themselves by giving their names as well as telling something about themselves. Usually the leader wants us to add something wonderful we do or have done - kind of a pat on the back for ourselves.

Paul asks in his letter today (quite sarcastically, I imagine) "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?"

You see, in these small groups, my name should be enough so people know how to address me. It's not that I am shy. It just makes me uncomfortable talking about "me" rather than the One who sends me. Who I am really is not important. Who the great "I Am" is of the most importance. After all, I can do nothing; I can accomplish nothing good without Him; without the Spirit of Christ that dwells within. It is the Spirit that gifts life and directs us. He even directs us to such meetings where we end up commending ourselves. I would much prefer that my life be a testimony to the Spirit of Christ than to who I am.

I do indeed have confidence in the life I live. However, that confidence is not in myself; but, in the God who has delivered me from myself and called me to Himself. I am confident that my life is in His hands.

May we all be living testimonies of His love.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jonah 3 - Nineveh Repents

"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened." (Jonah 3:10 NIV)

Yes!  We finally get to read about a people who were warned by one of God's prophets to repent, to turn from their evil ways, and they actually listened! The LORD's voice through Jonah was heard. Amazing! How refreshing it is to hear of a whole city repenting and turning to the LORD. The people of Nineveh repented of their sin; they turned to the LORD, and God relented and did not bring the destruction He had planned for them.

If only we could all be more like the Ninevites, with ears to hear. In fact, we are like them in that we are all sinners. May God remind us of our sinful ways so that we might turn and be delivered from all calamities; from even ourselves.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 35 - Faithful As A Rekabite?

Jeremiah is still trying to get the people to change their ways. He is still trying to get them to listen to the LORD and follow in the way that He would have them go.

The Rekabites are used as an example of obedience and faithfulness. This family had been instructed, by their forefather, Jehonadab son of Rekab, never to drink wine, never to build homes for themselves; never to farm; rather, they were to live as nomads in tents and they would continue to live in the land for generations to come serving the LORD. These Rekabites actually listened. Even when Jeremiah tempted them with wine, they refused to drink. They did everything that they had been instructed to do by their forefather and the LORD promised that "Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.” (Jer 35:19)

On the other hand, the rest of the people remained hard-hearted and chose to do what they wanted to do and rejected the way of the LORD, their God, who had delivered them from the hands of Egypt. They rejected Him and would return to captivity.

I'm thinking that Jeremiah's attempts at changing the hearts and minds of these people with threats are going to end up pretty fruitless. Only the LORD can soften their hearts and it will be that they will not be softened until they spend some more time in the wilderness, in exile, in captivity.

I hope that we can all learn from the history of our forefathers... We shouldn't have to be threatened to get us to have faithful hearts. After all, look what the LORD has done for us... delivered us from the bondage of sin, by the precious blood of His own Son.

So why is it that some will be faithful to the way in which they should go and others will not? May God help us to be more like the Rekabites: faithful in the way that we should go.

God's Peace - Pr. J