“Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul was reminding the Corinthian church of the evident power of God that transformed their lives through his ministry to them. Once again, he reaffirms the authority and anointing God had placed upon, and within, him to establish and teach the churches.

The validation and qualification of ministry is not in the degrees we have achieved, our resume', or any other documents we can carry before a church council or body. The true measure and validation of ministry are the lives impacted and changed, not just articulate ability or intellectual prowess. Anyone can hold a degree, say the right things, and impress. Only a life anointed by God can truly reach into the hearts of people. People know when their lives have been touched by the power of Jesus Christ. God validates His servants by His anointing. The anointing is what gives authority and unleashes the power of God. Only God can truly authenticate a ministry.

Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, I place my life in your hands and ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my life. Help me touch the lives of others for Your name sake.