2 Corinthians 4:5
This might seem obvious to most Christians, but Paul wrote it for a reason. Paul was under attack from inside and outside the Christian Church. Paul was a meek and humble man. He was also an outspoken and powerful man. He was meek and humble because he knew himself to be unworthy of the Grace God had poured out on him. Paul knew he was the "chief of sinners." Paul was outspoken and powerful because he knew the importance of the ministry God had given him. Paul knew he was the "Apostle to the Gentiles." Paul knew God had given him a ministry to take God's Grace to the world! Paul's challenge as a person, a Christian and an Apostle was to balance his personal meekness and humility with his spiritual position and power.
Look at the context of 2 Corinthians up to Chapter 4. Paul began by telling the Corinthians he was an "apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God." Paul reminded the Corinthians that God is the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." Paul wrote about the hardships he and Timothy endured for the Gospel of Christ. He told the Corinthians it had happened "that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." Paul wrote that the Corinthians helped him by their prayers. "Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." Paul boasted that "we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace." Paul told the Corinthians he wanted to boast of them "in the day of the Lord Jesus." Paul wrote that "it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." Paul told the Corinthians he had not returned to Corinth in order to spare them. He did not want to "lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy." Paul wrote about forgiving and comforting the sinner in their congregation. He had written them an earlier letter "to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything."
Paul wrote about how precious his ministry was to him and to God. "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." He told the Corinthians that "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." Paul did not need to commend himself to others. He told the Corinthians that "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." Paul wrote that he was not "competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Paul told the Corinthians that the glory of the ministry God had given him was greater than the ministry God had given Moses, which faded away. "And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!"
Paul wrote that he had his ministry through the Mercy of God. Because of that, Paul did not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:2-5
One of the foundations of the Grace ministry is to understand our relationship to the primary Message. That Message is Jesus Christ. The Message is NOT ourselves. Unfortunately, many preachers and teachers have crossed that line through the centuries. Their ministry became more important than their message. Some even changed their message because it was unpopular with people in power. Some exchanged truth for treasure. That causes terrible confusion among the Body of Christ and weakens the Gospel Message in the eyes of unbelievers. Paul made it abundantly clear that while he magnified the special calling of his ministry, he didn't let it go to his head. Paul didn't lose sight of the Goal. Paul didn't wander from the straight path that led to the finish line of the Great Race. Paul didn't get off track. He didn't think of himself more highly than he should. Paul knew that his Message was Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior! What Paul did say about himself was that he, Timothy, Titus and others were "your servants for Jesus' sake." All Christian ministers are "servants" first and foremost. We serve the Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His Glory, not ours. We also serve the Body of Christ "for Jesus' sake."
Paul did not try to lead a life of ease, filled with human praise and accolades of the masses. Paul did not try to amass an earthly fortune or have the finest of everything. Instead:
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
What's that all about? Why the personal sacrifice? Why work so hard in service to Christ and His Church?
2 Corinthians 4:15
Paul, Timothy, Titus and other Grace Ministers gave every ounce of their strength for the Gospel of God's Grace so more and more people would give thanks to God. They wanted Christ to reveal His Life in their mortal bodies. What a way to live! What a challenge to all Christians, especially those who are preachers and teachers of God's Word. Each of us, every day, have the opportunity to serve God in such a way that our service brings more and more thanksgiving and glory to Him. We do it through words of kindness to people in need. We do it by praying for others and teaching others about the Grace of God. We do it by forgiving others who wrong us. We do it by being merciful to those less fortunate. We do it daily in big and little ways. I can't imagine anything more important than this way of living. God is so Wonderful, so Loving, so Gracious, so Kind and Good, so Patient and Forgiving. For all of us to consider, I share the life-philosophy of the Senior Minister of the Gospel of Grace:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
A CEO recently told his vice-presidents that he wanted managers and employees with "passion in their hearts, fire in their bellies and brains in their heads." I immediately thought about what God wanted from His leaders and Children of Grace. He wants us to have passion in our hearts, fire in our bellies and brains in our heads!
The Apostle Paul is an example for all Christians to follow. Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Example. Both were passionate, on fire for their cause and brilliant thinkers.
Jesus told His disciples that anyone who had faith in Him would do even greater things than He had done on earth. He told them that the greatest love was for a man to lay down his life for his friends; then Jesus died for them. He told the disciples he had chosen them to go and bear fruit--"fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." Jesus told His disciples that the world would hate them because it had hated Jesus first. He said that the world would persecute them because they had persecuted Him. Jesus told the disciples that He wanted them to have a complete joy. He prayed to the Father that He would give them the "full measure of my joy within them." Jesus asked the Father to "sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." Jesus told His Father "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." Jesus wanted his disciples to be passionate, on fire and filled with great knowledge and understanding. Jesus is the Most Intelligent Being alive. He is God and therefore All-Knowing. Jesus spent 3 1/2 years of His life on earth teaching His disciples Truth. Jesus told the disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." He said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." Jesus told the disciples they would "receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." We know the history of the Pentecost and what Peter, James, John and the other disciples accomplished in the Name of Christ. The people of Israel were amazed at what the disciples preached and practiced. They had passion in their hearts, fire in their bellies and brains in their heads.
Paul lived a life of passion and fire. He was the greatest opponent of the Kingdom Church. "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." "For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." What did God do against His greatest foe? He saved him! God saved Saul and turned his life around and around, upside down, and inside out. "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." When God was done with Saul he became Paul, God's greatest Apostle of Love and Grace. "But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus."
Paul never lost his passion. In fact, he became even more passionate for his new cause. He stood up to Peter and any Kingdom Jew who would try to force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs. He didn't lose the fire in his belly. The fire within him grew brighter and hotter for His Lord. He stood up to kings, high priests and angry mobs from one city to the next. He told the great story of his Lord over and over again. People stoned and beat him. He fought great beasts in the wilderness. He stood up to Satan's temptations and challenges. Roman guards chained and jailed him. But Paul never stopped. He asked churches to pray "that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Paul understood deep and secret things of God. He knew the great spiritual battle that every Child of Grace faces. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Paul spoke of the Christian life as a spiritual battle. He told Christians to prepare themselves for the war. That's passion. That's fire in the belly. Paul's great mind became more brilliant under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He spoke with eloquence and determination. He had brains and he used them. He wrote letters centuries ago that continue to inspire millions to this day. He told Christians to present themselves to God "as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." He wanted God's people to be students able to teach others. He wanted Christians to be the brightest and best informed of all the people of the world.
Paul understood that leadership should be filled with people of passion, fire and brains. He told church leaders to "flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Paul called church leadership "a noble task." He required leaders to be above reproach, temperate, and self-controlled. He told them to be respectable, hospitable and gentle. He required leaders to manage their families well and care for the needs of the church. He told deacons to be sincere and hold the "deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience." He required that they "first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons." He told leaders to devote themselves "to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." He told us to "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." What passion! What fire! What brains!
Paul told leaders "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was enrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." He told us to "endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." He gave us this final charge: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction...keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, dischage all the duties of your ministry."
Paul was passionate and on fire to the end. He said "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Why so much passion? Why the fire to the end? "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." Paul knew that he was about to go to be with Jesus. He had "longed" for Christ's appearing. He yearned for it. That's passion. That's fire. That's brains. Paul knew where he had been, where he was and where he was going.
My prayer is that God will light the fuse of passion and fire in the hearts and bellies of His people. I pray God will give us all great knowledge, understanding and wisdom for the cause at hand. We have so much to do and not much time to do it.
The Passionate Christ lives "in" us and we live "in" Him. The Passionate Holy Spirit lives "in" us. They will be passionate through us.
Paul understood the sacrifice Jesus had made for him. Paul called on God's Children of Grace to live a life of sacrifice for Him. It is a life of passion.
Romans 12:1-2
Why should we pray? Because it is God's Will that we do. Because our spirit yearns to join with God's Spirit in times of joyful exaltation. Because our hearts need God's Love and Reassurance. Because our minds should be joined with God's Mind in consideration of His Grace and Mercy. Because our bodies need the spiritual healing God gives during times of prayer. Because we need His Strength in our inner being. Because Jesus Christ Who is "in" us wants to feel at home in our lives.
How should we pray? Reverently. Boldly. Patiently. Earnestly. Sincerely. Joyfully. Humbly. Correctly. Willingly. Expectantly.
When should we pray? Always. Forever. Unceasingly.
For what should we pray? For God's Will to be done in the Universe. For the Powerful Work of the Holy Spirit in our family, our neighborhood, our workplace, our city, our state, our country, and our world . For the salvation of the lost. For the growth of God's Children of Grace into a Holy Temple for the Lord. For Unity in the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul prayed for Unity in the Body of Christ. He sought God about that with a passion seen in few people through the ages.
Jesus prayed for His disciples and all who would follow Him into the Kingdom that they would be unified.
John 17:20-23
What comes from Unity among God's people? Glory and Love!
John 17:24-26
Paul also emphasized the importance of Christians glorifying God with their Unity. It brings praise to His Holy Name!
Romans 15:5-7
When we pray, let's pray that we may be One people with One voice to the Praise of God's Glory. When we pray, let's pray that God will unify us and bless us as One people. When we pray, let's pray for God's Will in our lives, the lives of our leaders and the lives of all who love Christ.
Ephesians 1:18-19
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © , 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
Taking God's Grace to the World!
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Last Updated: 12/20/1999
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."
"Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
This is a note we sent to pastors and teachers recently. The comments are based on principles of GraceLife. We pray God will speak to your heart and He has to ours. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
What is prayer? It is humbling ourselves before Almighty God. It is speaking boldly to the Father of all Creation. It is listening to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. It is considering the Wisdom of the Lord of Hosts. It is waiting for an answer from the King of Kings. It is sharing quiet moments with the Eternal Lover of our souls. It is bowing our will to the Will of Him Who is All-Knowing. "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them, even as you have loved me."
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."