A SPECIAL MINISTRY. 2nd Corinthians 4:1-6 When God has a special work for one to do for Him, He prepares that person like a potter would form a clay jar, to be suitable to do the work to which he has been called. That particular ministry is like a treasure to be nurtured and cherished because it is a glorious work. The ministry Paul was writing about, brought salvation to those who heard and heeded his message. It gave spiritual life to those who were dead in trespasses and sins. It resulted in transforming lives and produced righteous living as a normal way of living. This ministry came to Paul like a gift from God.
Paul’s preaching was based on the truth of the word of God and consequently was not popular with those who wanted to please the people by saying what they wanted to hear. The integrity of Paul’s ministry was questioned by deceivers so Paul again defends that by pointing to his life and work. The reason some did not believe was because of satanic deception. Paul had received his ministry of salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ when he had experienced personally the mercy of forgiveness. He knew what it was like to be in opposition to the Gospel that he now practiced and preached. Therefore, he was not discouraged or defeated by the opposition.
The way we look at any service we have been given by God; determines how we fulfill it. If I have a careless or casual attitude toward this work, there will be very little come out of it. If by God's power and grace, I apply myself to the work with vigor and enthusiasm, and an optimistic spirit, then usually there will be something for God and His glory that will result.
It is a privilege to minister to others in Christ's name; it is not a punishment. It is a blessing, not a burden to be allowed to serve God with reverence and godly fear. In a practical sense, we serve God when we serve other people in His name. The transforming ministry of the Gospel and the fulfillment of the commission the Lord Jesus gave to His own disciples, is the basis, the foundation of a lasting work for God. A positive attitude toward this work keeps us from quitting when difficulties arise. Paul did not "faint" in the work. Exposing and condemning dishonesty is not well accepted by dishonest people. Speaking plainly without hidden meanings couched in deceptive words will have an impact on everyone who hears. Openly speaking the truth condemns the guilty and is good news to those who face their guilt and know they are lost.
God does not give us a work we are unable to do. He gives the ability and power to accomplish His plans through pain and trials because this is a glorious ministry. There is no need to faint as we wait for the seed to generate and the harvest of new life to be brought in. We do not faint in the work because we know when we sow, we reap; we reap what we sow and we reap more than we sow. In our witnessing, we need not faint, nor in the warfare when we feel like we are failing, because the inward man is renewed.
There will be those in our day, the same as in Paul's day, who will deliberately mislead people by twisting the word of God to please the people and take away the reproach of righteousness and being biblical. Paul plainly condemned that. When the scriptures are taken out of context and applied to suit an already formed opinion, the true teacher and preacher should explain the word of God as revealed in the Bible, and let it correct and/or condemn those who have ignored it. Deceivers are often like undercover people, but those who tell the truth of God from a biblical perspective are usually open and transparent people. They have nothing to hide. Paul was open about himself and honest and faithful to the people. That is the way we should be.
Anyone and everyone can receive the message of the Gospel and be saved, but many will not receive the Gospel when it is given as a proclamation of God's truth. Many today do not want to "be preached at." They would rather be enticed, tantalized, comfortable, and not confronted with the problem and consequences of sin. Satan, "the god of this world," uses fallen men to promote lies rather than the truth. Deceit and subtlety often accompany those who are spiritually blind, whom Satan uses for his purposes. It is not uncommon for money and the display of wealth to attract people to a religious leader. Listeners feel, "If he got rich in his brand of Christianity, that's the kind I want."
Power and pleasure also are used by Satan to blind the minds of them that believe not. The deception of Satan makes those who are in darkness think that which is true and convicting, to be wrong because it exposes sin and produces the pain of guilt caused by sin. Even though Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers, the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ shines bright through the darkness of deception. The power of God is like incandescent light that illuminates the treasure we have in us. Our commonness reveals the excellence of the power that is at work in those who believe in Christ.
We can know when a person's teaching or preaching is right, because that person will be declaring Jesus Christ is Lord, and will be hiding themselves rather than promoting themselves. Those who promote themselves often come from a church, but when they find their opinions are not accepted and acted upon, they end up in a cult. In cults, the emphasis is on a man and what he says, does, or says he can do. Paul did not promote himself. He knew he had received a special ministry to fulfill and was not side-tracked from that commitment. He practiced humility. His focus was on the Lord Jesus Christ, not on himself or what he did. A false teacher often will promote himself. Paul had to make a defense of his ministry to the Corinthians because of their carnality and divisive spirit. This was not common practice for Paul. He did not trust in himself nor did he have to make a point of commending himself. He did not want a fan club behind him to cheer him on.
A true servant ministers to others. His desire will be to let the light of God that first shined in his heart, shine out of his heart to give light to those around, so they can come to know God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The truth of God that is in the "earthen vessel," the clay jar, cannot be hidden when God uses His servants to minister in this special work to which they have been called.