Respect and Honor

1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Thoughts: Paul does not need to brag or have other people brag for him.  The people in Corinth are the fruit of his labor in the power and grace of the Lord.  1 Samuel 2:30 says, "Those who honor me I will honor."  Jesus himself said to not sit at the place of honor but sit at the lowest place and let the banquet maker elevate you (Luke 14:8-10).  We do not need to boast of who we are and our accomplishments- for without God any good would be impossible.  The very best kind of fruit in life is the fruit of changed human lives impacted for eternity.  The Corinthians are a living letter to call the Corinthians to respect Paul.  When the Spirit is at work in the lives of people, we need to respect those who are being used by the Holy Spirit to make a difference.  Looking back, it is hard for us to imagine the Corinthians not respecting the great apostle Paul.  The worldly pressures and little problems no doubt influenced them to grumble against his leadership.  

Prayer: Lord, our lives, our reputations, our honor are yours.  Keep me from seeking worldly honor over honoring you.  Give me grace to honor those who honor you.