Have you ruined your testimony?
Paul gives one of the most eloquent and specific descriptions of a blameless ministry. As we examine some of the points Paul makes, ask yourself whether you exhibit any of these qualities in your own life.
- Can you say that you have endured afflictions with patience?
- Have you manifested the fruits and gifts of the Spirit and remained committed to the Word of truth at all times?
- Can you say with Paul that no matter what people think of you, you can rejoice in the Lord because you possess all things in Christ—happiness in the midst of sorrow, honor in the midst of accusation, spiritual riches in the midst of poverty?
- Ask yourself these things as you study this testimony of the “least of the apostles.”
Paul divides his marks of a blameless ministry into three categories: manifold trials (vv. 4, 5), graces and gifts (vv. 6, 7), and circumstances of evil and good report (vv. 8–10). Time and again, Paul proved himself a true minister of Christ by the fortitude with which he endured sufferings. No matter what the trial, whether afflictions and distresses, whippings or imprisonment, or working to support himself, watching his own heart or caring for the church’s needs, whatever the trial, he maintained a steadfast commitment to Christ.
How many men fall away under the temptations of the world, under the weight of trial, under the pressures that come from all directions to undermine the Gospel? Many have fallen, and many will continue to fall if they do not trust in the Lord, if they do not remain committed to serving Christ according to the truth, according to His purity and righteousness.
So many ministers fail, so many Christians ruin their testimony, because they are not morally upright or because they are not grounded in the truth. They give into error either in their doctrine or their life. When they falter in either respect, they cannot stand with confidence when accusations are brought against them, when chastisement comes by the hand of God. They fail because they do not follow the example of Paul, who lived solely for the glory of God. He could do nothing else because he knew that without Christ, he possessed nothing. But in Christ, even in the midst of affliction and sorrow, he possessed all things.
Read the verses below. What do these verses say about those called to minister to the people of God? How serious is this calling? Pray for your ministers today. Go through the list of marks of a blameless ministry that Paul gives in 2 Corinthians 6:3–10. Pray that your ministers will remain faithful before the Lord.
(1996). Tabletalk Magazine, October 1996: Fearing God, 19.
How many men fall away under the temptations of the world, under the weight of trial, under the pressures that come from all directions to undermine the Gospel? Many have fallen, and many will continue to fall if they do not trust in the Lord, if they do not remain committed to serving Christ according to the truth, according to His purity and righteousness.
So many ministers fail, so many Christians ruin their testimony, because they are not morally upright or because they are not grounded in the truth. They give into error either in their doctrine or their life. When they falter in either respect, they cannot stand with confidence when accusations are brought against them, when chastisement comes by the hand of God. They fail because they do not follow the example of Paul, who lived solely for the glory of God. He could do nothing else because he knew that without Christ, he possessed nothing. But in Christ, even in the midst of affliction and sorrow, he possessed all things.
Read the verses below. What do these verses say about those called to minister to the people of God? How serious is this calling? Pray for your ministers today. Go through the list of marks of a blameless ministry that Paul gives in 2 Corinthians 6:3–10. Pray that your ministers will remain faithful before the Lord.
(1996). Tabletalk Magazine, October 1996: Fearing God, 19.
