Two Forms of ID

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 6-7

Scripture Focus: As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way. (2 Corinthians 6.4)

Devotional Thought: Recently, I opened an account for Momentum Ministries. The instructions were to bring "two forms of ID" - a government-issued ID and a credit card. The bank wanted to make sure I was who I said I was. I didn't mind. It would be terrible to have somebody doing business in my name without my permission!

When I make prison or jail visits, I have to be able to verify my ID - and to demonstrate that I am a minister. I am not offended by that; it's just a part of modern ministry.

The Apostle Paul had no such ID. His life was his ID. His work and faithfulness, his love and holy living, his sacrifice and suffering for Christ - these were what validated his ministry: "As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians 6.4-10).

How are you commending yourself? To do the business of living for Christ, we need to commend ourselves in the way that Paul did. Better yet, we must do so in the way that Jesus did - emptying himself and becoming a servant (Philippians 2).

Prayer: Lord, help this mind be in me which was also in you - to empty myself of privilege and pride and to take on the nature of a servant. In that way, may I commend myself to you and those around me. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118.5-9

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.