I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am untrained in speech, I certainly am not with respect to knowledge; certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to you.

2 Corinthians 11:5-6

That’s Paul, Mr. New Testament, getting testy.

He’s having to defend himself, because there were “false teachers” who threatened to steer the Corinth church astray. Even after all he’d done to start that church, here he was, still having to defend his qualifications for the job.

Remember, Paul was just…a guy. All the accolades came later. He had a lot of religious training growing up, and he had this first-hand experience of Jesus he talked about, but mostly, he was just this really passionate guy trying to spread the good news.

I’m wondering about you and your qualifications. How qualified are you to be a disciple? To use your faith to make an impact in the world. Maybe you’re gearing up to start a new church or a new Bible study. Maybe you’re inviting folks to your church or inviting in conflict by standing up for justice. Maybe you’re getting ready to do…something.

What gives you the right to wield some authority in these matters?

Actually, a problem I hear all the time is that people feel like they DON’T have the authority to represent the church. I’ve had decades of religious training and credentialing, and often feel the same way. There’s A LOT of stuff to know about Christianity. Who other than Paul could consider themselves qualified for that kind of work?

True, Paul was especially good at laying out basic Christian doctrines, a task few of us may be suited for, but how well we do playing Bible Trivia has little to do with us qualifying to be disciples.

The way I see it, qualifications for discipleship can be pretty simple:

• Have you had an experience of God’s unconditional love? You’re qualified to report it.
• Do you use your faith like a tool as you journey through life? You’re qualified to use it.
• Are you willing to embrace Christ’s love in your family, your work, your life? You’re qualified to share it.

The qualifications for discipleship are remarkably easy to meet. The challenge comes in embracing the authority God’s love gives you. There will always be doubters, and you may even doubt yourself, but as Mark Batterson famously said, ‘God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.’

Maybe people won’t read YOUR ancient letters and be inspired. (Or maybe they will!) However you choose to communicate good news to the world depends on your gifts, your environment, your passion, and the world’s needs.

Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re underqualified. That would mean steering away from God’s claim on your life.

And Paul…

would be appalled.