Good Life Journal – 2 Corinthians 4

Scripture:

 

[1] Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

 

Observation:

 

Paul considered the gift of his ministry to be mercy of God. After all, look where he came from, so to be sharing the gospel as his ministry, can only be through the mercy of God.

 

Paul goes boldly. He says not to lose heart because some are just not ready to hear – the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing.

 

He says he will preach God’s Word as it is, with no tampering.

 

Application:

 

Paul is talking about his ministry but this applies to all of us as we do what God is leading us to do as we minister to others.

 

Speaking for myself I can say that it is only by God’s mercy that I am where I am, helping build his kingdom. I was not persecuting Christians, but in my own way I was Paul. Many of us can probably relate to that.

 

Go boldly and know that it takes some people quite awhile to see the light of the Gospel and live by it, so be patient and don’t get discouraged and lose heart. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to recognize those whose eyes are so blinded by the god of this world that they will never see the light of the Gospel.

 

Maybe all of us already know this but if not, ask – What message is God giving me? How is God calling me to build his kingdom? Are my words and actions glorifying him? Am I following his will ministering to others with my words and actions? Am I getting discouraged and losing heart?

 

Whether through our words or our actions, we are producing something. Pray and ask that the product of our words and actions be the fruit of God and not leaves that wither away, or worse yet, fruit that is not of God.

 

It has never been so obvious in my lifetime just how lost this country is without the peace and love that we get for free by God’s grace as we follow Jesus Christ. Go boldly in these tumultuous times, in Jesus’ name, knowing that this world is lost without Him.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord we need you desperately. Thank you for your mercy. Use me Lord. Help me to go boldly in your name to help produce fruit that honors you. Show me when I’m on the right path, and redirect me when I’m not. Keep me from being discouraged as I stumble, fumble, hit barriers, and when it seems like I can’t go any further. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.