Written and Living Letters to the World

Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full (2 John 12, KJV)

The Apostle John says above that he had many things to write to his audience, and rather than using paper and ink he was trusting God to see them face to face. In this verse is hidden a mystery of God’s purposes for the new creation in Christ. He gives us two alternative ways by which a message could be transmitted. The first was the obvious one-written letters. He could have written God’s message to them in the form of a letter. The second option was to use a different means of transmitting the same message but with a more significant impact. He was not going to write a letter to them. He was going to be the letter himself when he visited them!

The scriptures are merely a vessel of transmission of the Word of God to us. The most magnificent vessel of transmission of the Word of God was the Word Himself as a Person that came to us as a Man. The impact of His message as a Person far exceeded that of the scriptures. Well, Jesus is no longer physically here. He has sent letters again to the world, not only written with ink and paper but on the hearts of His people. You are a living letter God has written to reveal Himself to the world!

You were recreated in Christ to be the expression of God in the world. Think about that for a second. People will no longer need to read stories to know of God’s power. They will look at your life. They will no longer need to hear a sermon on the love and kindness of God. They will only need to meet you. This is what the glory of God is all about. It is the believer being the visible manifestation of the presence and power of God. What a life! We are living in extraordinary and exciting days. What lies ahead of you is so big that no little issue here and there today should deter or discourage you. Your future is just too glorious to be bothered by petit hindrances today!

MEDITATE

What is the difference in impact between a message conveyed through written letters and that transmitted in person?

APPLY THE WORD

You are called into the very glory of God. God wants to reveal Himself through you. This is why the way you behave matters. Allow the Spirit to guide your life through the Word. The next time you are act or talk, remember that your behavior carries God’s eternal purpose for your life. Let the Spirit reveal the living Christ through your words and actions.