We have this ministry

Let me encourage you to get your Bible and read the short chapter of 2 Corinthians 4.  In these verses Paul is addressing some wonderful promises that belong to the children of God, as well as letting us know our walk with the Lord will not always be without problems and troubles.  In addition, Paul describes things we will experience along the way, by using the term "ministry" indicating that we are all participants in the work of ministering to others. 

Paul mentions that because we have this ministry, we should strive to remain strong and never lose heart.  It calls us to renounce sinful ways, to not be deceitful, and to never distort God's word. Realizing that the minds of unbelievers are blinded, so they are unable to see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In creation, it was God who spoke light into being, and in like manner, he makes his light to shine in the life of the believer.  Notice also that Paul emphasizes we are not preaching ourselves, but always preaching Jesus as Lord. 

Paul then moves into an explanation of this process which leads us in spiritual growth as we yield to the things of God. He mentions that we have this treasure in jars of clay to show all of this is according to God's power and not ours.  Notice some exact examples which the scripture gives.  1. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.  2. We are perplexed but not in despair. 3. We are persecuted but not abandoned. 4. We are struck down but not destroyed. 

So here is the picture; you as a Christian, on a walk through life where you are expected to be involved in the ministry of telling about Jesus, but now you learn of the probability of facing obstacles and difficulty.  Even with the promise that we are not crushed, despaired, abandoned, or destroyed, we still cannot become enthusiastic about being hard pressed, perplexed,  persecuted, and struck down.  Where is the joy in any of that?

Encouraging words come in verses 13 & 14. "It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”  With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,  because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

I am not writing this today to suggest we should draw back from our commitment to Jesus now that we learn it may involve discouraging times. I am writing it to tell you if you are really active in your devotion to the Lord and his work, you can expect discouraging times.  Yes, the treasure is in jars of clay, or to explain it better, the good news of the gospel is entrusted to humans along with the task to share it with others. God allows us to become tattered and worn, knocked around a little, and sometimes taken to the point of giving up.  But remember Paul said earlier, it is because of God's mercy that we have this ministry, therefore do not lose heart. Keep going. He will bless your efforts. Continue to be a living testimony. He will strengthen you.  If we know nothing else, we know that he is with us, he loves us, and he will bring us to victory. 

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