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 dishonour, 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.
(verses 3-10)
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Paul puts it all on the line for the sake of the gospel. He engages with everything he’s got, holding nothing back. He’s been called into the ministry of reconciliation, bringing person after person into right relationship with God himself, and he embraces it with absolute seriousness.
Here’s what it entails:
(1) Endurance:
Paul describes hardships we’ve seen in the book of Acts – persecuted at Pisidian Antioch, then expelled, plotted against in Iconium, beaten and left for dead at Lystra – and all of it simply on his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). Later he would experience beatings and imprisonment at Philippi, mob attacks in Thessalonica and Berea, scornful skepticism in Athens, physical attack in Corinth, further beatings and imprisonment in Jerusalem, followed by pummelling storms at sea, leading to hunger, sleeplessness, distress, and shipwreck. Paul endured it all. Why? For the sake of the gospel.
(2) Godly character:
The ministry of reconciliation could never have rung true if Paul had ended up embittered, hardened, and dispirited by all he endured. Yet he didn’t go there. Rather he maintained purity, understanding, patience, kindness, love, truthfulness, and righteousness. It was the very character of Jesus himself, all empowered by the Spirit of God. The ministry of reconciliation was seen in his very person.
(3) Disregard for personal reputation:
Paul didn’t care whether the report about him was good or bad, whether he received honour or dishonour. He pressed on regardless. He was living the character of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, so he simply entrusted his reputation to the Lord. Even though living genuinely, he might be regarded as an impostor, but he left it all in the Lord’s hands.
(4) Seeing everything with eyes of faith:
“Positive thinking” only goes so far – it can simply mean turning a blind eye to reality. But Paul, instead, turned his eye to faith. Though dying, he knew he was touched by the life of Christ. Though beaten, he endured. Though sorrowing (from many causes), he knew the over-riding reality of joy in the Lord. Though poor, he trusted his sacrifice enriched many. Though physically penniless, he possessed “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” He saw it all by faith – true and solid.
Paul’s role was unique. Praise God he engaged fully – we continue to be the recipients of his ministry. But it doesn’t stop there. We, too, have been called to the ministry of reconciliation. Our context and challenges may be different, but we, like Paul, are called as Christ’s ambassadors.
Endurance. Godly character. Disregard for personal reputation. Eyes of faith. We’ll need them all.
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Dear Lord, fill me afresh with your Spirit’s presence. Strengthen me with your power. Build endurance in me. Nurture character that reflects Christ. Release me to entrust my own reputation fully and completely into your care. Sharpen eyes of faith within me so that I can focus on what’s truly significant. To the glory of Jesus. Amen.
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Reflect:
Which of the four above themes do you most need to grow and develop? Put it before the Lord. Ask for his Spirit’s empowering presence.
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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
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