Yesterday I wrote about the New Covenant sealed by Christ’s blood at the cross and our ministry of boldness that comes through the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. [2Corinthians 3:7-18]
Paul goes on in Chapter 4 to remind us of something very important – two things of note. The first is that there is no quitting in the life of the believer. No matter how tough life gets, no matter the opposition from the world, the devil, even our own rebellious nature – We Do Not Give Up!
“Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up.” [2Corinthians 4:1 HCSB]
The second thing of note is the core reason we do not give up – We Are Not Proclaiming Ourselves But Jesus Christ As LORD.
“For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” [4:5-6 HCSB]
When we offer our witness, our testimony to the world, it is not centered in our own accomplishments, strengths, holiness, or wisdom. It is firmly grounded in Jesus Christ as LORD. What we have, what we have done, what we know is all because God shone His light in our hearts. It is the knowledge of His Glory that changed our lives and will change others.
We point our lives toward the face of Christ Jesus – and we point others in the same direction. Not toward us (which would give us all kinds of reasons to quit!), but toward Him, the One Who gave Himself for us. Amen.
