2 Corinthians 6:3–6: We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love.
In my own small universe I’ve experienced the same inclinations for a place where there is no conflict. Hey, never play baseball, and you’ll never strike out. Never lead and you’ll never be criticized. Never preach and you’ll never bore anyone. Never confront and conflicts will be minimized. The temptation is universal—and I’ve contemplated it many times over my forty years of ministry. Paul wants us to see that his great endurance in ministry is not an angry, tight-jawed, “I’ll show you” endurance, but rather his endurance rests in his purity of motive and life, in Spirit-given knowledge of Christ himself, in a Spirit-imbued patience that is not provoked to anger, in a genuine, unhypocritical love, in truthful speech, and in the power of God. 1
Personal Application
- Read Ephesians 4:1-3. How is love demonstrated in a walk of “worthiness?”
Godly Encouragement
- Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” –Acts 14:22
A Biblical Thought to Share with Others
Love lays down demands and keeps His commands. – TWEET IT
A Prayer to Consider
Lord, please keep me from being an offense to You and to others.
1. Hughes, R. K. (2006). 2 Corinthians: power in weakness. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.