- “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.” Continuing from his arguments in chapters 2 and 3, Paul’s expression of confidence moves from “boldness” to “do not lose heart”, meaning that we do not lose confidence in the Gospel to convict and compel. What is the result of this confidence in Paul?
He refuses to manipulate his audience and keep his Gospel pure. He trusts in the power of the Gospel and the Spirit.
- In what ways can we proclaim the Gospel with deception or distortion? Why would we do so?
We minimise or overlook the need for repentance, the goal of righteousness and instead focus on eternal life. All that is required is to say a simple prayer then.
We create very emotional environments and constantly appeal for people to respond.
We abuse people’s situations of need and tie their response to the Gospel to meeting their needs.
- “On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” Basically Paul “tells it like it is” without hiding the difficult parts or making things look like they are super easy to achieve. What would be a “tell it like it is” Gospel be like, in your understanding? Will anyone become a Christian if such a Gospel is shared?
We are all perishing, condemned to be destroyed because we are sinful people and God is holy. We can try to be good but it is insufficient because sin has us under its thumb. Instead, God provided us a way out through Jesus: as long as we renounce sin and accept Jesus as our Lord, God will deem it acceptable to send us his Holy Spirit who will free us from the hold that sin has over us. This is because Jesus has offered himself as a sacrifice for our sin. His resurrection assures us that God is fully behind Jesus and his rescue mission. This is not an instant thing but a lifetime of seeking to do what is right by obeying Jesus and the Holy Spirit will ensure that the new life that has been born in us will grow and thrive. To begin this journey you say a simple prayer of repentance and commitment to Jesus.
- “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Paul’s point is that not everyone is going to respond positively to the Gospel because many have bought into Satan’s deception and it is not his mission to “make or attract” people to come to Christ. It is still a choice. As Paul says, we are the aroma of Christ bringing life and death. What do you think? Is there anything we can do for people who have been blinded?
Well, if we take responsibility for people’s response then we will do everything to ensure their cooperation and that opens the door for abuse. We should serve Christ and the Gospel instead. We can still pray for them.
- “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” At the end of the day we are servants, not the Master, and vessels, not the source and substance, so success and failure is in God’s hands. Would this perspective change the way you share the Gospel? In what ways?
I share the Christ I know and follow. He is my Lord and Saviour. I rest on God to let the light of Christ shine in the darkness and pray that the seed sowed will find good soil.