Credentials and Credibility

Beware when one flaunts their credentials, even if they do so ever so slightly. I realize it is necessary at times to note one’s credentials, but we must keep in mind paper, plastic, or human education does not make “the man.” In fact, recently I have seen the more credentials some have, the more ignorant and stupid they are.

For example, one guy tried to debate me over the homosexual issue armed only with a Guidepost concordance, claiming the Holy Bible did not say much about it. Even if that were the case, if there would be one verse to declare it a sin then it is a sin (and there is more than one verse). This man had a doctorate, but apparently never heard of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and a few others. If he did, he was too lazy, or very unwilling, to use it.

About forty miles (over 64km) from me is a Bible School which I believe credentials their students (and it might be accredited to offer degrees). However, in over a decade I’ve known about this school, I’ve yet to see any who even come near to the caliber of some of the real men and women of God I have met.

And, of course you can go on the Internet and for a price someone will send you credentials. You don’t have to study anything. Just agree to some tolerant sinful gibberish and pay a fee. 

Worst of all, much of society places great trust in credentials. Better than credentials is real credibility. Peter and John stood before those who held the credentials of men and stood well (Acts 4:13): “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Now, that’s the type of credentials we all need, a “BWJ” (been with Jesus).

Being with Christ, having Him dwell within and you dwell in Him, empowers you to be successful in the eyes of God (not necessarily in the eyes of men). This empowerment is both physical and spiritual. The spiritual is more important of course. Internally, sometimes our sin nature would attempt to rule us. Externally, there are the forces of the world and the demons of satan(1). Without Christ, one is defeated already. That is why the best credentials we can ever have is a BWJ as mentioned above.

For those that think credentials make the person, let me relate a story my wife told me in our earlier years. A man went to college and got a degree that landed him a job with his state as an agricultural inspector. The state furnished him with papers (credentials) indicating his authority to inspect and his high level of training. He goes on his first assignment, to a farm.

The farmer is not too pleased that a stranger has shown up to nose around.

“Here are my papers from the state,” insisted the new inspector. “I’m fully authorized. See? If you don’t let me do my inspection I will see to it that you are fined.”

The farmer reluctantly agreed, but watched as the inspector walked off to one of his fields, head held high in authoritative victory.

The inspector starts nosing around, but soon hears snorting and thumping. Turning around he sees a bull starting to charge at him. He runs for his life. He twists, and turns, but the bull keeps after him.

“Call off your bull!” cried the inspector.

The farmer shouts back, “Show him your papers.”

Man’s credentials mean nothing in regard to physical and spiritual quality. It’s best to get a BWJ and live in The Way (Christ).

Notes:

(1) I avoid capitalizing that name. Triond is an online publisher that gives me the freedom to do so. Join Triond today, start writing and uploading pictures to earn money.

God willing, this will be part of my Bible GemLight Series as amber001.