“Therefore, since we have this ministry,
as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart”
– 2 Corinthians 4:1 –
In 2 Corinthians 4, the apostle Paul declares that he has preached the gospel of Christ with responsibility, sincerity, and effort. This has provoked persecutions, which contributed to God’s glory and were benefecial to the church because they kept unity among the brethren and kept them dependent on God; they were even beneficial to Paul himself.
The apostle shares many beautiful teachings, to which we should be attentive:
- Just like Paul, we should reject things which bring fame (vv. 1-4). Being a Christian and being a leader demands transparacy and being a good example. People should see in us a good model to follow. We should not practice things that will bring shame to our God.
- Those who preach should not present topics of personal interest, should not talk about themselves, and should not waste time telling mere anecdotes (vv. 5,6). Preachers should talk about Christ and lead people to Christ.
- The treasure, which is the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ, was given to us simple mortals (v. 7). As true consecrated vessels, we should hold the treasure, which is Christ, to share with all who seek Him.
- We are hard-pressed in everything because we are in the middle of a spiritual war, but distress does not paralyze us because the grace of Christ sustains us. In some situations, we are left perplexed, we have doubts, but we should not get discouraged over that, because we trust in our God. We sometimes feel helpless and dejected (vv. 8-16), but God’s love and power sustain us, so that we are not destroyed.
- What we suffer now or will suffer is slight and momentary in comparison to the future glory we will have together with Christ (v. 17).
- We should not trust in things which are seen, because someday they will be destroyed (v. 18). We should place our trust in Christ’s promises, because they guarantee us eternity.
In Paul’s writings we find two mysteries:
- The mystery of iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7). The first is a mystery because in a world which was perfect, sin and corruption were introduced. We know that created beings were made perfect and used theit capacity for choice incorrectly, and in their independence caused evil and lost their lives.
To solve this mystery of iniquity, God counters it with
- The mystery of mercy (1 Tim. 3:16). To resolve this mystery of iniquity, God superimposes it with the mystery of mercy. The God of the universe became flesh for us. Only in light of His mercy can we, in part, understand His love, a topic that will be the subject of study for eternity.
Yes, Jesus decided to die for us
because He did not want to live without us.
Let us live for Him today.
Be blessed…