Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"It is for God..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:13
CHALLENGES IN THE MINISTRY
The ministry of the gospel was fraught with difficulties. Some of the challenges frequently faced:
1. Accusations hurled against the servants of God.
2. Finding fault.
3. Many sought to hurt if not destroy the ministry of these servants of God.
4. These challenges remain till today.
A GREAT EXAMPLE
Paul was an excellent example of how to remain steadfast and resolute in the face of false charges.
“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God;
or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.”
2 Corinthians 4:13
1. “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God”
a) This was similar to a charge made against the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 3:21).
b) Paul was charged with being “beside himself”- meaning, he was “mad”.
i) His detractors sought to cast him in a bad light.
ii) They sought to smear his name and reputation.
iii) They stopped at nothing to hurt him and his ministry.
c) His answer:
i) It was for God that Paul served as he did.
ii) He was not mad to serve so fervently and indefatigably.
iii) Paul’s commitment was to serve God.
2. “If we are of sound mind, it is for you”
a) There were faithful and solid supporters of Paul.
b) They knew that he had a sound mind.
c) They knew that he served as he did for the flock of God.
SUFFERING FOR THE LORD
Let us recall what the Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples about suffering. There will always be detractors. Some will even think they are offering God service by killing the Disciples (John 16:2).
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,
and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:11-12
There may be sorrow and pain in suffering when accusations are hurled at us. May we draw much strength from the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).