November 27, 2005

THE MINISTRY BE NOT BLAMED

2 Corinthians 6:3– 13

 

   Beseeching the lost: "Be ye reconciled to God." Beseeching the saved: "See that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." And how did Paul received the grace of God? Was it in vain, or in earnest?

   He was careful beyond measure to "Give no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed." This was his negative statement. Here is the positive, "...in all things commending ourselves as the ministers of God..." (2 Cor 6:1-3). But how was this demonstrated? Did Paul practice what he preached?

   He surveyed his whole life and ministry. In passive experience these seven trails came his way. "In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults..." (2 Cor. 6:4-5a)

   In self-denial he responded seven ways: "in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in purity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness..."

   His means to endure all this were seven: "in holiness of spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report..." (2 Cor. 6:5b-8)

And the results of this ministry were seven-fold antitheses: "as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things..." Did he deserve a commendation?

   "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels [hearts]. Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged" (2 Cor. 6:11-13). O the selfishness and littleness of these saints toward their own spiritual father in the faith! How could it be that Paul's largeness of heart could be met with such narrowness of spirit? Were they receiving the grace of God in vain? What fruit could there be toward God with their attitude? Selfishness constrained them against Paul, yet the love of Christ constrained Paul enlarging his heart toward them.

 

Ivan L. Burgener