July 6 | 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Dave Mann
Jul 6
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Confident in Christ

By Dave Mann

If anyone had reason to be proud of his competence, it was the Apostle Paul. He and those whom he taught were the most effective in the spreading of the gospel throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. He encountered major opposition, but still the good news of Jesus Christ and the church was shared effectively and continuously.

He was stoned. His limp body was dragged out of the city and left for dead. He was imprisoned – chained and shackled. He was shipwrecked. He was bitten by venomous serpents.

He preached the gospel clearly. Depending on his audience, he used different approaches. He referred to the Hebrew Scriptures, even quoting from pagan poets and authors. He used theology and logic.

But Paul was not proud of his personal accomplishments. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5). What he did and how he did it showed his competence. However, he realized that his competence came from God, not from himself. He was never boastful or arrogant. He knew that, according to human reasoning, he could boast, but he did not put his confidence in such things.

See also Philippians 3:4-8.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

The Holy Spirit gave Paul the words to speak in the right place and at the right time. He followed the admonition that Jesus gave to his followers in Mark 13:11 -- Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Paul’s competence and his confidence were solely in Christ because his competence came from the Lord. 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 3:6).

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me to trust you in all circumstances to give me the right words to speak with confidence that your Holy Spirit can inspire me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.