Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Doing Nothing to Discredit the Ministry

In the apostle Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he describes how he sees himself as working together (with God) in this great ministry of reconciliation. God is in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men's sins against them (2 Corinthians5:19). So, Paul says, in 6:3, he is conscientiously seeking that he would do nothing to discredit the ministry or give offense in anything.

I just read in the introduction to Erwin Lutzer's book, "Who are you to judge?" (a book that actually is about why Christians need to be making judgements - distinguishing "the false from the true, or better, the false from the half true.") how Lutzer wondered aloud about how, at certain points in church history, a little more kindness might have made a difference in making people more receptive to the gospel. For example, Lutzer writes "I have often wondered what might have happened if John Knox had shown Mary, Queen of Scots a bit more courtesy and compassion during his dialogues with her. We can't know, of course, but maybe her heart would have softened to the Reformed faith and the bitter conflicts might have become more charitable."

I have often thought that myself - not about Knox in particular - but about Christian ministry specifically. The Bible does teach that the gospel is an offense to those that are perishing. Yet, I have wondered at times, on occasion when I have heard people boast of enduring persecution, or complain about some people's resistance to the gospel, whether or not it was the gospel that was offensive or the pride or harshness or lack of listening or respect shown by the messenger of the gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul makes it clear that he goes out of his way to give "no cause for offense in anything..." (2 Cor. 6:3). Listen to those words carefully. That is an all-encompassing statement - "no cause"- "in anything".

What did that mean for Paul? Here is a synopsis of what he says:

1. A willingness to suffer to bring that gospel to the world (vss. 4-5). One of the ways that we show that we do love people and that the gospel is life-saving, and that we truly believe that God is reconciling sinners to Himself in Christ, is that we are willing to serve people through the hardships of ministry. Paul's numerous words for suffering here describe almost every kind of hardship that comes in gospel ministry. It is hard for people to believe that we love them and want them to be reconciled to God if at the first stage of opposition, or first moment of hardship, we bail out and take our ball and go home. Suffering shows people that we believe our message is true and urgent, that God loves sinners sacrificially in Christ, and that people mean enough to us and to God that we would suffer for their sakes. Paul says in another New Testament letter that he "endures all things for the sake of the elect."


2. A carefulness with his Christian character (vs. 6). In verse 6, Paul is very careful to say that he guards himself from sin (purity), and that he is devoted to knowing the truth clearly, and to ministering patiently, kindly, in the strength of the Spirit, and in genuine love. Always ask the question, do the people who struggle with the gospel, believe that you love them. Have you treated them with respect? Have you been patient with their struggles? Have you shown immense kindness towards them? Don't strive to win the argument, especially if you aren't willing to love the person. Speak the truth in love.

3. A dependence solely upon God's power and resources, and not human means or abilities (vs. 7). Paul could have used his intellect. He could have attempted to use fear and intimidation. But, he had used those options in his pre-Christian days as a persecutor of the church. He, now, like Christ Jesus, uttered no threats. Rather, according to verse 7, he spoke the truth, depended on God's power to change people's hearts, and used righteous weapons (like prayer and faith) rather than worldly weapons (like human wisdon and manipulation). People can tell immediately when we are trusting in the God that we are calling them to trust in - or whether we are telling them to trust God while we are relying on ourselves to persuade them. Do nothing to give cause for offense, Paul says. Don't try to force faith.


4. Seeing His position from God's perspective and not an earthly perspective (vss. 8-10).
I love this section. There are two ways to look at your life - from a human perspective or from a divine perspective. The human perspective sees things according to what people are saying to you or about you. The divine perspective looks at it as God sees it. So, in verse 8, Paul is often shown dishonour -but in reality, he is sharing and will share in the glory of Christ. People are saying evil things about him and calling him a deciever, but he is more concerned about what God and those who love the truth know as true. He is "unknown" in many places where he travels but he is always known by God. In fact, many of us even feel "unknown" by people when they misunderstand our motives and suggest that we are false motives. But God knows us!
Paul has many sorrows and yet He always as solid reason for joy. He is poor from an earthly perspective yet he is sharing infinite riches with those who come to God through faith in Christ

Be very careful that you as a Christian servant don't spend all your time licking your wounds and whining about your troubles as if you can only see things from an earthly perspective. Faith is the God-given gift of being able to see things as they really are for you in Christ. You will hinder other people's understanding of the gospel if you complain about your troubles on your way to eternal reward. We discredit the gospel when we talk like God doesn't care for us when we teach people the promise of His unfailing love. Yes, we sorrow but that sorrow is healed, and limited, by the promise of God in Christ that He will wipe away every sorrow and make all things new. Our momentary and light afflictions are bringing an eternal weight of glory. The troubles are God's instruments and God's environments to show His sufficiency for those who trust in Him.

Are you making every effort to give "no cause for offense in everything."? Are you determined that the "ministry will not be discredited"? Then, be willing to endure whatever to lovingly take the gospel to people for whom Christ died. Keep your character like that of Christ Jesus. Use only the resources of God to fulfill your daily role as God's servant. See things always from an eternal perspective.