(In)Competent
| Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Corinthians3:4-6) |
Paul's argument started with his assertion that he needed no letter of recommendation because the results of his ministry (the founding of the Corinth congregation) spoke for itself. But now he goes even further by trashing the idea of competence completely....
Our competence, according to Paul's argument, is found in our relationship with Jesus. Our own competence is not relevant - and if you want to explore that idea further, go to Philippians 3 where Paul makes an extensive list of his achievements and qualifications and then declares that they are "a pile of smelly refuse" (to properly render the Greek word) in comparison to knowing Christ.
The secret to competence is not found in the "letter" (and here Paul is jumping from "letters of reference" to the "letter of the law"...) but in the powerful working of the Spirit.
We are incompetent when it comes to the things of God, but with the Holy Spirit working in us we have competence. So we are (in)competent - competent when we let the Spirit work in us.
When we face difficult circumstances where we didn't think we would get through - but we do - it is because we have been (in)competent!
Paul said a similar thing in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
I am (in)competent!
It's a very cool thought and a very great comfort.
