Against all criticism and relentless questioning, Paul stands firm, passionately defending his legitimacy as an apostle of Jesus. Paul and his dedicated co-workers endure immense suffering. Their dedication is evident as they fervently spread the revolutionary gospel of Jesus. In his writings, Paul passionately expresses his unshakeable confidence in God’s unwavering ability to sustain him. He also shares his fervent hope in the glorious life that awaits in the hereafter.
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
This ministry
This ministry is the very heart of what Paul has passionately proclaimed over the last two chapters! We are called to be fervent ministers of the New Covenant. We must embrace the exhilarating mission of sharing the gospel. We should boldly preach Christ!
By the mercy of God
No one is saved by their own merits; it is a profound truth that reverberates through the corridors of faith. Neither does one ascend to the role of a minister of God through mere skills, talents, or knowledge. No, it is solely by the boundless mercy of God that we find salvation. He saves us from the depths of despair. He forgives us with an overwhelming grace. He calls us to a higher purpose. He empowers us to carry His message forward with fervor!
We do not lose heart
If a person depends solely on themselves to share the gospel, they rely on their own abilities. Then the burden of failure, real or imagined, rests entirely on their shoulders. It’s all too easy to feel disheartened when our efforts seem fruitless or when we encounter rejection of the gospel. Yet, let us remember that every individual serves through the abundant mercy of God! Each soul is saved by His magnificent grace! In our moments of weakness, He becomes our strength! We can find unwavering confidence in the truth of Paul’s declaration in Philippians 1:6.
6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
Knowing this ignites a fire within us, encouraging and fortifying us through our trials! We must never lose heart, for God is in control, weaving His grand design. He has saved us. He has chosen us as His instruments to minister for Him. He is relentless in building up His church! God has not ceased His work. He will never stop His work. We must press on with fervor and determination!
Renouncing underhanded and disgraceful ways
What are some disgraceful things some preachers of the gospel do? Why do they they do these things?
Many false teachers are not just underhanded; they are downright disgraceful! Some exploit fake miracles, igniting fervor and enthusiasm to amass followers and line their pockets with donations. Others merely put on theatrical performances, masquerading as righteous figures while parading their hypocrisy like the Pharisees of old. Throughout history, countless leaders of the church have perpetrated unspeakable evils in the sacred name of religion. The abhorrent practice of selling absolution for sins was rampant in the Catholic Church. Additionally, high taxes imposed on congregations, solely to erect opulent edifices, were scandalously commonplace. Today, the Catholic Church in Austria continues this dubious tradition. It unashamedly siphons a portion of its members’ hard-earned income directly from their bank accounts!
Many church leaders fervently attempt to align themselves with the currents of popular culture. They strive for relevance in an ever-changing world. Their mission often shifts into a desperate effort. They try to prevent individuals from leaving their congregations due to differing views from the mainstream. The House of Representatives gathered to inaugurate the 117th Congress. They invited a distinguished Methodist minister to lead them in prayer. His closing words resonated with palpable fervor: “We ask it in the name of the monotheistic God, Brahma, and ‘god’ known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awomen.”
This is absolutely disgraceful! It’s a devious scheme aimed at winning favor with a political party and a new generation. The list of modern-day pastors, who shamefully compromise with the world, is alarmingly extensive. Many now embrace evolution and accept homosexuality, even appointing gay pastors. To justify these actions, they tamper with God’s Word. They engage in a desperate act of linguistic gymnastics. Their goal is to twist the Bible for their own agendas. Instead of honoring God’s Word, they tear it apart, cherry-picking verses while conveniently ignoring others. It’s a grotesque distortion—bent, misquoted, and mistranslated—all in the name of progress or inclusiveness. These actions are not accidental; they are a deliberate choice made by the majority!
No, this is not done in ignorance; it is a deliberate act! It is a brazen manipulation of the Scriptures to fulfill one’s selfish ambitions. And what are those ambitions? Power and wealth! These individuals audaciously distort the Bible to fit their own criteria. They elevate themselves as the ultimate authority. They practically position themselves as gods. They engage in this deceitful behavior out of sheer terror of becoming irrelevant. They desperately fear that their congregations will abandon them. This would leave them jobless, without a salary, and stripped of their followers.
The tragic irony is that their desperate contortion of God’s Word to stay relevant actually leads to greater irrelevance. Liberal churches are withering away, their congregations growing older by the day. How can this be if they strive for relevance? All that they present is the allure of the world! Yet, the world beyond those church doors offers thrilling experiences that far surpass anything found within. So, why would anyone choose to enter? There exists no transformative power, only the hollow echo of a dead religion.
The only way to remain truly relevant is to anchor ourselves in the unwavering truth, the eternal word of God. Truth is steadfast and unyielding. God’s words resonate across generations, reaching all hearts and cultures, at every time and space. He is ever-relevant, a constant in our lives. His words possess an incredible power that can transform lives and ignite souls!
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 35:25
Embrace the courage of Paul and boldly reject these deceitful and disgraceful tactics! Stand firm against the tide of evil; do not be swept away by the crowd. Proclaim the unvarnished and powerful truth of the Scriptures with fervor and without apology!
By the open statement of the truth
What is our profound responsibility as ministers of the new covenant? We must fervently ask ourselves: what if people turn away and refuse to listen? What if they abandon the church and our Bible studies because they perceive us as too narrow-minded? They might see us as lacking in tolerance and progressiveness. We are called to engage with compassion and conviction. We must break the barriers that isolate. We must also passionately stand firm in our beliefs!
Our responsibility is profoundly simple yet immensely powerful: we must passionately share the truth! We are called to explain the gospel message in straightforward terms. We must refuse to dilute its essence for easier acceptance. We should not alter it for a modern world. Our mission is to boldly and faithfully divide the word of truth. We know that we answer not to anyone here on earth, but directly to God Himself. If someone rejects the message and labels you as narrow-minded, know this: that is NOT a failure on your part! Jesus Himself is a rock of offense, and the truth often stirs discomfort in the hearts of many. Embrace that truth, for it is a beacon of hope!
Take note that your attitude and style must never offend others! We must refuse to pridefully look down on anyone. We ought to reject hatred and disdain, which so many “Christian internet thugs” unfortunately exhibit today. Instead, let us fervently share the Scriptures with love in our hearts. Let us pray fervently that God will reach and transform the hearts of those we encounter!
Cross References:
- Galatians 6:9
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
- 2 Peter 2:1
- 2 Corinthians 2:17
- 2 Timothy 2:15
Reflective Questions:
- What ministry does Paul refer to in 2 Corinthians 4:1?
- How does this passage connect with the previous passages we have studied?
- Why do they not lose heart?
- What type of “underhanded” or “disgraceful” ways might Paul be thinking of?
- What are some disgraceful or underhanded things some “ministers” do?
- How do some false teachers cunningly tamper with God’s word?
- How should a true teacher of the Bible approach the Scriptures?
3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
If our gospel is veiled it is veiled to those who are perishing
Some misguided teachers may have charged Paul with delivering a message that is out of date or irrelevant. Yet, astonishingly, this is the very same accusation leveled at devoted Bible preachers today! They might boldly declare, “Your message is outdated and incomprehensible to modern youth!” But let us be clear—Paul asserts that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the message or the messenger! The true fault lies with the listeners. They are on a perilous path to destruction. They stubbornly refuse to heed the divine truth being shared!
The god of this world has blinded their minds
So why do people refuse the truth?
When you gaze upon the world today, it is truly astonishing what beliefs many people hold. Consider a bold move made in early 2021 by Nancy Pelosi. She is the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. She proposed a groundbreaking rule. The rule aimed at banning a host of traditional words from key House documents. Words like father, mother, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, daughter, and son were deemed insufficiently inclusive for those who do not conform to “antiquated” notions of gender and relationships. To her, these essential terms failed to reflect the complexity of human identity. This ignited a passionate debate about language and representation in our society.
These ideas represent the pinnacle of absurdity! To the faithful, such notions seem utterly deranged. How can a rational and thoughtful person even consider discarding the word “mother”? Why should it be deemed insufficiently inclusive? Battles for truth are waged through the very words we utter. Advocating for greater “inclusivity” might seem reasonable at first glance. However, we must ask ourselves what this truly entails. This is an attack on the truth of Scripture. It declares that God created two genders: male and female. Absolutely, we do not need more labels like “birthing parent!”
This text powerfully reveals why so many in our society overlook the most apparent truths! Satan has shrouded the minds of the unbelievers. He fervently works to prevent them from grasping or embracing the radiant light of Jesus. Simultaneously, he is forcefully promoting his twisted and perverse version of reality, ensnaring countless souls in his lies. This is a fierce spiritual battle; demonic influences are undeniably real and must not be underestimated!
They try to keep people from accepting Jesus by radicalizing them. As a result, any mention of the traditional God-given values in the Bible becomes extremely offensive. This offense makes them unwilling to consider any God who espouses such ideas.
Jesus passionately shared the profound parable of the sower and the four distinct soils. One of these soils was the unforgiving roadway. He vividly illustrated how the relentless birds swoop down. They snatch away the precious seeds that fall upon that barren ground. This robs them of the chance to take root. The harder the path, the more impossible it becomes for the seed to find sanctuary and grow. In this relentless struggle, Satan tirelessly works to harden the hearts of individuals, infiltrating every corner of their lives. It is a sinister plot hatched by the father of all lies to keep people out of God’s kingdom.
We must understand the profound spiritual battles that souls face. This understanding can reshape our fervor for sharing the gospel. With so many lost in darkness, feeling blind to the truth, what options remain for us? We must find ways to let the light shine into their souls. It should illuminate their path to hope and salvation!
Cross References:
- 1 Peter 5:8
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
- 2 Corinthians 11:3
- Matthew 13:19
- Ephesians 6:11
Reflective Questions:
- In what way was their gospel veiled?
- Why do many people not understand or accept the gospel?
- What type of methods might Satan use to try to blind people to the truth?
- Knowing that Satan is actively trying to blind people, what should we do?
5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Jesus is the only hope
The conclusion of today’s scripture passionately reveals how the radiant light can pierce even the darkest souls. The answer comes not from within you; it is not found in your efforts or a fresh approach. It is not about becoming more persuasive or adding yet another illustration to your message. No, the truth is that Jesus alone possesses the power to illuminate their eyes. Time and again, blind men approached Jesus, desperately seeking His healing when every earthly doctor had failed them. Yet, Jesus triumphed! He opened their eyes, and they beheld the glorious light. He boldly proclaimed to the crowds that He is “the light of the world.” Just as only Jesus could restore their physical sight, only He can awaken their spiritual sight. He illuminates the path to salvation!
Paul declares, “We proclaim…not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord!” Our mission is not to amass followers for our own glory; rather, we passionately urge everyone to follow Jesus. He alone possesses the transformative power to open their eyes. Just one touch from Jesus can shatter the blinding lies of Satan. It can replace them with breathtaking clarity and truth.
When you share the gospel and encounter deaf ears, remember the solution. It isn’t more of your voice, but more of Jesus! Let the resistance bring us to our knees. This ignites a fervent cry to God. We ask Him to dispel the dark forces that shroud their minds. We must plead for the fog to lift. We also ask for the radiant light of truth to blaze through like the brightest day!
God has shone in our hearts
Praise God for illuminating our souls and igniting His divine light within our hearts! Once, our minds and spirits lay shrouded in darkness, ensnared by the deceptions of this world. We were blinded by insatiable greed, reckless lust, and an overwhelming thirst for pleasure and popularity. Like lost sheep, we blindly followed the throngs around us, accepting and engaging in evil. But then, we encountered Christ, and He bestowed upon us the glorious “light of knowledge,” forever transforming our lives!
The lies of Satan are boldly exposed! His deceptions crumble and lose their wicked power. God gives us the gift of discernment. This gift enables us to recognize the truth. It helps us pierce through the shadows of lies. We must thank God for this divine insight. As bearers of the light, we carry the immense responsibility to guide those still engulfed in darkness. How can you elevate your discernment even further? Acknowledge that God has illuminated your heart—what actions will you take? How can you passionately testify to those around you about this miraculous truth?
Cross References:
- John 1:5
- John 8:12
- 1 John 1:5
- Ephesians 1:18
- Matthew 6:22
Reflective Questions:
- How did God shine the light into your hearts? (Share your testimony of when you first saw the light.)
- How has your perspective changed after seeing the light?
- What have you learned in this passage about evangelism?
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