By South Asia Ministry Leader, Words of Hope
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.” (v. 5 NIV)
More than 30 years ago, I attended the funeral of a family friend. He was a difficult man. An alcoholic, he never participated in church and was outspoken against what he saw as its hypocrisy. But his wife and daughters were believers and faithful in church attendance. They invited their pastor to lead the service, which only included friends and family.
Unfortunately, instead of comforting the grieving family, the pastor took the opportunity to speak harsh words of judgment over the man. As a result, the family left the church. The pastor spoke truth, but without love.
You may not preach from a pulpit at the front of a church, but in today’s reading, Paul is speaking about the way all of us proclaim the gospel in our lives and in our words. Speaking the truth and living in a way that reveals the light of God’s glory, especially to unbelievers, is our aim (v. 6).
Proclaiming the gospel can be full of dangers. In his book “Between Two Worlds,” John Stott warned against preaching that was rooted in arrogance - whether through intellectual superiority, self-promotion, or manipulation. It has no place in Christian ministry.
Preaching must conform to the whole counsel of God, revealed in the whole Bible. Jesus himself taught a balance of both law and order, mercy and forgiveness (Matt. 18:15-22). In your life and in your words, consider whether you are speaking the truth in love (1 Cor. 13:1).
As you pray, ask God for wisdom in speaking the truth.
—————
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, Words of Hope has chosen not to share his name.
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.” (v. 5 NIV)
More than 30 years ago, I attended the funeral of a family friend. He was a difficult man. An alcoholic, he never participated in church and was outspoken against what he saw as its hypocrisy. But his wife and daughters were believers and faithful in church attendance. They invited their pastor to lead the service, which only included friends and family.
Unfortunately, instead of comforting the grieving family, the pastor took the opportunity to speak harsh words of judgment over the man. As a result, the family left the church. The pastor spoke truth, but without love.
You may not preach from a pulpit at the front of a church, but in today’s reading, Paul is speaking about the way all of us proclaim the gospel in our lives and in our words. Speaking the truth and living in a way that reveals the light of God’s glory, especially to unbelievers, is our aim (v. 6).
Proclaiming the gospel can be full of dangers. In his book “Between Two Worlds,” John Stott warned against preaching that was rooted in arrogance - whether through intellectual superiority, self-promotion, or manipulation. It has no place in Christian ministry.
Preaching must conform to the whole counsel of God, revealed in the whole Bible. Jesus himself taught a balance of both law and order, mercy and forgiveness (Matt. 18:15-22). In your life and in your words, consider whether you are speaking the truth in love (1 Cor. 13:1).
As you pray, ask God for wisdom in speaking the truth.
—————
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, Words of Hope has chosen not to share his name.
