THURSDAY, 19TH DECEMBER, 2024
THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST – Pastor Chris
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
What’s an epistle? It’s a letter or written message. When Paul said, “Ye are our epistle…,” he was saying, “You’re our message, known and read of all men.” Jesus Christ was the message of God. He was the Word of God—God’s message—sent to the world to be read of all men. He was manifested in the flesh.
When men encountered Jesus in Bible days, they encountered the Word of God. When He spoke, it was the Word speaking. When He acted, it was God’s Word in action. When He healed, it was God’s Word performing the miracles. Everything He did was the manifestation of the Word of God in flesh. Therefore, He was manifestly declared to be the Word of God in the flesh.
Now, referring to us, Paul says exactly the same thing: “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us…” (2 Corinthians 3:3). Did you see that? You are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ the same way Jesus was manifestly declared to be the Word of God in the flesh. This means you’re the message of Christ, and being the message of Christ means you’re the message of God.
If you are the epistle of Christ, then you’re the epistle of God. If you are the word of Christ, then you’re the Word of God. Knowing this amazing truth, how are you going to live your life? That’s why God has given us His written Word so we can learn His language and talk His language. The necessary result of that is an outflow of the God-life through you. That’ll be your experience every day. There’ll be no defeat in your life. Irrespective of who your adversaries are or the circumstances in which you find yourself, you’ll be an absolute victor. Glory to God!
PRAYERDear Father, thank you for making me the epistle of Christ, your living message to the world. I acknowledge that I’m your Word in the flesh, manifesting your glory, grace and truth. As I study the Word meditatively and speak it forth, I experience an outflow of the God-life, living in absolute victory and dominion in Christ Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NKJV
You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly [you are] an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, [that is,] of the heart.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 11 & Micah 4-5
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 16:1-10 & Zephaniah 1-2
