II Corinthians 3:4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Paul went overboard to not brag. He always spoke of himself as the worst of sinners and least of the apostles. He did not want favortism bestowed upon him, nor did he want his personality to overshadow his calling. What an example for us all to follow - to stop pushing ourselves. Paul could put it no more clearly than he does here: our sufficiency and confidence must be in God, and not ourselves. That is when the Spirit is free to work in and through us. Whenever we start focusing on our knowledge, wisdom, or personality, we do and say things that detract from what God is doing, and destroy the fellowship the Spirit is seeking to work among us. Lord, make us and keep us humble...
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