Do Our Lives Personify The Gospel?

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 "We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also".

There are many pastors these days using all different media resources to spread their version of the Gospel through out the world and it can be very difficult to determine who is speaking truth. One of the deciphering aspects in ascertaining the true gospel is in the life of the one speaking. This was also very true in Paul's day when the New Testament was being written down. The evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit was and is a tell-tale sign as to whether their message is truth or not. In this letter Paul was feeling the need to defend his ministry so as not to lead anyone astray.

In his writings in verses 3-13 in chapter 6 it looks as if He is commending himself but actually he is commending his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Anything that Paul has been able to do has been done through the power of God. Paul loved the Corinthian church and prayed fervently for them. They were dear to his heart and he wanted the Corinthians to see that they could have used any of these points to defend his ministry to others but they had not done so. I'm sure that his heart ached when he realized that their affection and loyalty were lacking.

Paul stayed the course and re-presented the Gospel message even when being touted by his critics. He labored on through beatings, imprisonment, hunger and isolation and lived to be an example to anyway who suffers for the cause. He didn't withhold anything from these people and resolutely loved them and he was expecting the same in return.

This man who had totally surrendered his life to God felt that his life so personified the gospel that if anyone inspected it they would see an honest resemblance. I wonder if people inspected our lives if they could say the same thing?

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Personalize this prayer.

Dear Lord,

I will probably never face the persecution that Paul faced in light of the Gospel but I've come to appreciate his sold out surrender and faithfulness to You. He was willing to stand up for what he believed and suffered because of it. Please give me the strength and determination to stand up for my beliefs. I pray that when push comes to shove You will give me the courage to tell Your story within mine so that others will catch a glimpse of who You are. May the fruit of the spirit be so evident in my life that there would be no question that I belong to You. I too surrender all and make myself available for Your works and Your ways. Praise be to You, the almighty, all powerful, all encompassing God who will reign in my heart forever!

In Jesus Name,

Amen

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