QT 5/19/2025 2 Cor 4:1–6, Our ministry is real truth

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world 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. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ 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 the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

NOTE: Ultimately, our ministry is to proclaim God's word to as many people as possible. How they choose to respond to truth is their choice. There are some believers called as apologists, who argue in defense of the truth, but that is mainly because the enemy seeks to distort and hide the truth. But we don't need tricks or underhanded practices, because a believer in Jesus is born of the Spirit by their own free will or not. Deception and emotional arguments only cloud the truth. This ministry is the real truth of the world that came from the only God of this universe. We only need show the light and hope that people respond from their hearts. We do have a responsibility to be prepared to share and we need to do it with gentleness and respect, but ultimately God's truth will prevail. We also have a responsibility to live like Jesus. And, we have a responsibility to be a disciple (I think we do). But whether we plant seeds or water the seeds, God is the one who gives the growth. And the person is the one who chooses of their own free will to believe.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I doing to tell God's truth to those I come in contact with?
2. Do I believe that God's word is truth, the most important truth the world can know?
3. Do I seek to live the truth or is my life in contradiction to the truth

 

PRAYER: Father, in my current ministry (well actually, I teach, lead discipleship teams, serve as a lay leader, and care for grandchildren), I don't get as many opportunities as I did to interact with the lost. I know the opportunities are out there. Open my eyes to see them as they appear. I don't want to shrink back and miss the opportunities.