Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.
A Catch 22 is a catch-phrase from a novel that means, basically, you cannot win no matter what you do. Paul may have used the phrase in this letter had it existed in the first century. On one hand, there were accusations that he failed to qualify as an apostle due to his suffering and trial. On the other, his defense of his apostleship appeared to them (and to us) as flat out boasting. Self-promotion is not on our list of favorite attributes in a person, especially in one who preaches servanthood. Paul was misunderstood on two fronts. Apostles do suffer and he need not qualify because he was chosen by Jesus Christ on a certain road to Damascus. Paul claimed as a seal, or letter, the people in the church in Corinth. It is changed lives that prove the power of God, not looks or boasts.
Come to Cape Community Church as we continue to read the “boasting” of Paul. More than that though, we will see the Bible as one story because of the two covenants God made with man. Come and see that God would have glory for himself and Paul’s boasting of God’s cleansing and calling is proof. 2 Corinthians is a letter of recommendation for Jesus Christ himself and the seal on this letter is you and me.
Dear Lord, thank you for the proof of life that you gave us with salvation. Help us to be known and read by all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church