Monday 8 May, 2017

4 So because of God’s mercy, we have work to do. He has given it to us. And we don’t give up. 2 Instead, we have given up doing secret and shameful things. We don’t twist God’s word. In fact, we do just the opposite. We present the truth plainly. In the sight of God, we make our appeal to everyone’s sense of what is right and wrong. 3 Suppose our good news is covered with a veil. Then it is veiled to those who are dying. 4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They can’t see the light of the good news that makes Christ’s glory clear. Christ is the likeness of God. 5 The message we preach is not about ourselves. Our message is about Jesus Christ. We say that he is Lord. And we say that we serve you because of Jesus. 6 God said, “Let light shine out of darkness.” (Genesis 1:3) He made his light shine in our hearts. His light gives us the light to know God’s glory. His glory is shown in the face of Christ.

At the same time that Paul was seeking to teach and encourage the Corinthian church there were others speaking into their world. It appears that some of these other ‘teachers’ were preaching a message that Paul described as ‘secret and shameful’ – one that sought to deceive in order to get popularity; a following, and financial gain. They spoke what people wanted to hear, they avoided the hard teachings in order to be liked.

This was so far from what Paul was about. He refused to change the message for anyone even if it meant he lost popularity or finances. He knew that the message he had been given was straight from the mouth of God, that it was a privilege to be a minister of it; he would not and did not distort the word of God.

I’m challenged on two levels. One, how open am I to being challenged and convicted, as well as encouraged when I hear teaching from the word of God, and secondly, in what ways am I watering down the gospel message with those I meet in order to be liked, and still included. The gospel of Jesus is life to all who accept him. It is a beautiful message of salvation and love, but there is also a call to repentance and life change. It’s only through Jesus that we can live in heaven eternally. There is no other way, no other God, he will not be light handed on sin. Am I sharing the whole gospel?

Help me Lord to be led by your Spirit and to be strong and courageous as you lead me in all I do and say. Amen

Written by Rosie Walker