October 2, 2005

WE HAVE THIS MINISTRY

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

 

   "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 4:1-2). This "ministry" Paul had received was in sharp contrast with that given Moses. Moses ministered the Covenant of law from Sinai. Paul was enabled to minister a New Covenant, of spirit from glory. One ministration was of death and condemnation, the other of life and righteousness: One had a glory that excelled, the other a glory to be abolished in contrast with one that remained. What a ministry!

   Overwhelmed by this honor and the task Paul exclaimed, "Who is sufficient for there things?" (2:16), yet Paul's sufficiency was the enablement of the risen Lord Who had shown him mercy. Paul greatly appreciated God's two-fold mercy. First, he had received mercy in salvation, "for this cause I obtained mercy , that in me chiefly, Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe..." Paul was also mercied for service, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant..." (1 Tim. 1:12-16).

   Paul's ministry would have to be in harmony with God's mercy and with His might, which knows no fainting. Thus, "we faint not." Unlike those who had huckstered the word of God, he renounced all the hidden things of shame, of craftiness, and of handling the word of God deceitfully. Such practices were condemned then and now and have no place in the ministry of grace and mercy. Such ministry and message commends itself to men's conscience. It does not command such as Moses' law. It speaks to and writes upon fleshy tables of the heart, not only the heart of Paul, but of all who received his message – the "light of the gospel of the glory of God."

 

Ivan L. Burgener