Credential Essential?
Devotions/Partners
Matthew 21:23 (KJV) “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?”
COMMENTARY: Think of the final week of Jesus’ ministry. His exciting entry into Jerusalem. His couragous cleansing of the temple. His divine healing of the blind and the lame. In this passage, religious leaders challenge Jesus’ qualifications. Jesus did not have an official degree from their seminary and had no desire to play their trivial politics. He did not dress like them, walk like them or talk like them. He was, to put it mildly, different.
APPLICATION: Today’s business world delights in the snobbery of credentials. We relish in our college degrees, certifications, licenses, impressive resumes, titles. and LinkedIn profiles.
Credentials can be very helpful and constructive, but far more important than man-made careers and credentials are God-given callings and gifts. If someone is called and gifted in a particular area, the fruitfulness of that calling and giftedness will be very obvious.
As a Christ follower, you have received the ultimate gift–eternal life in heaven–and you are called to share the Good News (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). It has nothing to do with having a degree from seminary or being clothed in a robe. When people in the workplace challenge your authority to share the Gospel, tell them it comes from the same God who gave Jesus authority over 2,000 years ago. Jesus didn’t allow bureaucratic bullies to put him into the bondage of inferiority, and neither should you. You are complete in Christ!
Joyfully yours,
Drew
For Further Exploration
For further exploration about Jeremiah 17:5, 7 (KJV)，read Work Within a Balanced Life (Jeremiah 17) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.
