2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
In the ancient world the proof of authenticity of correspondence was demonstrated with wax and an impression of the writer’s seal in that wax. When the seal was broken in the presence of the recipient, genuineness was confirmed. If you have a computer, chances are that Microsoft has installed software that validates your license of operating system. The software verifies that your copy of Windows is valid and unique to you. If it isn’t, nasty things can happen. If you have bought any software, you probably had to break a seal on the disk in order to get it out of the CD envelope. And then as you installed the software you had to enter the ‘code’ of multiple numbers and letters in the appropriate blank spaces during installation. Then the software usually links us to the ‘mother ship’ over the internet to register your installation. All of this is done in an attempt to keep people from stealing, ensuring a genuine version of the software. For Paul, the lives of the Corinthian believers served as the validation code that proved that his ministry came directly from Jesus Himself. Their life proved that Paul was a true Apostle, that the ministry he was doing was valid, approved by Jesus Himself. And through the work of the Holy Spirit, the genuineness of the message was confirmed in their lives. They had experienced being connected to God. They knew the message was true and that Paul had been sent to them by God with that message. Are you operating in your Christianity in a way that demonstrates the authenticity of your experience? Or are you living off someone else’s valid code, perhaps a parent or spouse or best friend? Eternal life in the now cannot be faked or copied. Jesus wants to freely give you an installation of your own, deep in your heart. He wants to reboot your life and let you start over. Why don’t you let Him do that today!
The Arnold Journey 