2 Corinthians, Day 4
SUFFERING AND JOY ARE TWO SIDES TO MINISTRY
“My Motivation #3”
2 Corinthians 4
What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal
Paul shares with us through the Written Word his motivation behind preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
- God has provided mercy so he doesn’t lose heart in preaching the Word.
- We have removed all secret and shameful ways of presenting the Good News.
- By presenting the Gospel truthfully and plainly, we are committed to spreading the Good News to those who are perishing.
- God has blinded the minds of unbelievers from the truth. The preaching of the Good News can open their eyes and minds from this darkness.
- This all-surpassing power is from God and not from ourselves.
- There are pressures from the world that try to discourage us. Be we are not to be crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed from the efforts of those who are trying to discourage us.
- We continue to remain faithful to presenting the Gospel of Jesus so His life may be revealed in our mortal bodies.
- His death is at work in us, but His life is at work in those who hear the Gospel.
- We know that God the Father will raise us with Jesus and present us with all believers in His presence.
- Because grace is reaching more people, thanksgiving will overflow to the glory of God.
- We do not lose heart in preaching the Good News of Jesus. We are wasting away outwardly but being renewed day by day inwardly.
- For the light that has been given us along with our momentary human troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory.
- We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.
Read the title of this section above.
APPLICATION OF THIS MOTIVATION
I have been a Christian for close to 48 years. I have been a volunteer in doing Christian work and service for 46 years. It did not take long for me to notice that wherever God and His teachings are being taught or proclaimed, the evil one is attacking and trying to dismantle things. I have seen in others and experienced personally the discouragement and frustrations that can set within oneself while doing ministry. I have seen church leaders quit their ministries and missionaries come home from the mission field because of dealing with the attacks and discouragements that they have received because of doing ministry.
Paul’s message that he is presenting in 2 Corinthians 4 is that Christians need to understand that these attacks will occur. It is the price that we pay for the cause of presenting Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and the FREE salvation that is available through Christ.
May God give each one of us strength and endurance as we continue to follow His challenge to us:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18b – 20, NIV).
Blessings from Carlton Ringer