The Freedom of Focusing on Christ Alone!

 

2 Corinthians 4 "Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."

Paul gives us a very realistic view of being a minister of the gospel.  Paul intentionally takes the focus and pressure off of himself by saying, "We do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for your sake." Paul is in effect saying, "It is not about you or me."  Paul says that we don't use any special tactics to preach the gospel.  We set before people the clear and plain Word of God which was fulfilled in Jesus stepping out of heaven.

We see many people twisting the Word of God to make it mean what they want it to mean.  They change the plain Word and turn into an obtuse Word.  They take away the clear meaning and make it very complicated.  Paul says we should preach the pure gospel to make it clear that it is about Jesus so their faith is in him and no human being. People will have to make decision based on the gospel not any window dressing or human manipulation.  

He knows the Corinthians are going to face hardships, criticism and persecution.  Already there has been drama about who Paul is and gossip about his qualitications to be an apostle. They took their eyes off Christ and focused on the messenger not the message.  And Paul is saying, "It is not about me.  I didn't die for your sins.  Jesus did.  You can either accept it or not."  

Then, Paul says something we should all remember.  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.  We can preach the gospel to someone until we are blue in the face, but unless God opens up their mind and heart they turn to Christ and be saved.  

These reminders are very important for us.  We must keep our focus on Christ and him crucified.  As we follow Christ, our lives being transformed day by day into the form of the cross. Daily dying to ourselves and be raised in newness of life in Christ. Though outward we may be wasting away (if by getting older if nothing else) inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  Finally, this is a tremendous freedom Paul gives us that we are not responsible for someone else's salvation.  We can't change anyone's heart, only God can.  We are responsible to preach Christ alone, and live it out by serving him and loving others like he loved us. In this way Christ's light will shine out from us and draw people TO HIM!