Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 119; 2 Corinthians 4
Devotional Thought:
Paul begins this chapter with “therefore.” Anytime we see a “therefore,” we must look and see what it is there for…” In this case Paul is saying that in light of the new covenant, he is motivated to serve the Lord with great fervor because of what Christ has done for him. We too, must be motivated out of a heart of love, thankfulness, and indebtedness to Christ for the mercy and grace He has shown unto us. The priority for the Christian is to proclaim the gospel to the lost. The god of this world seeks to “blind the minds of them which believe not, lest the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should sine unto them.” (vs. 4) I do not need to be a good salesman of the gospel in order for people to be saved, but rather I need to be a consistent proclaimer of the gospel for people to be saved. I cannot save anyone, but the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. (Rom. 1:16) It does not need my craftiness, my salesmanship, or my palatable personality. The gospel just needs a voice to proclaim its truth and the Holy Spirit will take that truth and help it to bear fruit. People often feel too much personal pressure on their style in their witnessing, so people stop because they feel they are not good at it. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (vs. 5) Anyone can tell the story of Jesus and that story we should tell over and over again. Paul said there would be persecution, distress, and trouble, but we must see the priority of telling the good news about Jesus Christ. “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” (vs. 13) We are motivated because our confidence is “He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus…” (vs. 14) Paul concludes this chapter by reminding us to keep our focus on the eternal and not the immediate. So many people are discouraged, defeated, and disgusted with the way things are going in the world, but they forget to keep their eyes on Jesus and His promise for eternity. “For our light affliction, which is for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but a the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (vs. 17-18) Are you motivated to tell the gospel because of the change that it has brought to your life and your future, or have you taken it for granted? “If the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to faithfully share the gospel. Help my confidence in the gospel to be rooted in the power of God and not in the power of the presentation.
• Lord, thank you for your salvation that you have offered and given to me. I am so grateful that I know that I will spend eternity with you because of your righteousness and love extended to me.
• Lord, please help me to never take my salvation for granted, but to always demonstrate a heart of appreciation and love for you.