A handful of witnesses

Paul made three visits to the Corinthians. Meaning that going once just wasn't enough. He needed to go more than once in order to try and save as many people as he could. Paul could've been content going once, but he knew more needed to be done.

In whatever we do in life we have to establish credibility.

Anybody can do something once and do a good job at it. Those who stick to what is difficult and continue to do it over and over again are the people that establish credibility in my eyes.

For example, all through high school and college I loved to work out in the mornings. It was my favorite time to get after it. I rarely worked out alone in the mornings because I enjoyed having somebody with me and helping those around me achieve their goals as well. There had been a handful of guys who would work out with me in the morning once or twice.  On the other hand there were two or three who stuck to it with me everyday. Some of those guys who worked out with my every morning are some of my best friends.

If you have ever tried to wake up extra early in the morning to work, workout, or get things done, it was always easy the first time. The second day was usually more tough, you had in your mind you wanted to keep this up so you got up. The third day is where it was the most difficult to keep it going. The third day was when some of these morning workouts would stop.

My example is just like Paul's. He had to be persistent with what he was doing in order to establish credibility with the people around him.

This is my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." (2 Corinthians 13:1)

You can't just show up and do something one time. You can't just be a Christian one day of the week and not do anything the rest. This is about building persistence, good habits, and self-discipline so that in all we do we are glorying and honoring God and loving those around us.

Another way that I look at this is asking myself this question: "How many people are getting to experience my true authentic self?"

I can't just be me around one person and expect everyone to know me the way that Rachel does for example, or my parents, or some of my best friends. I believe that true authenticity is being yourself around more than just a coupe of people.

Paul writes that every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Are there two or three people right now in your life who could sit down face to face with God and tell Him that you are living a life that is honoring and pleasing to Him?

If not- let that motivate you! Get to the point where you know that there are people around you who see that you honor God in everything you say and do. We aren't called to live life for human recognition, but we are called to love. When we are loving others, it will be noticed and that is obedience. Love because God first loved us.