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1As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a] I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. (2 Corinthians 6:1-13 NIV Bible)
A common thought among many people is that pastors work only one day a week. I vividly remember having a conversation with a fellow seminarian on our first day at Perkins School of Theology who very sincerely told me he was going into ministry because of the life his pastor lived. The young man said his church paid for his pastor's country club membership, and paid him well enough for him to drive a luxury car. He listed other thingw but capped it all off with saying that "After all, how hard could working one day a week be?" Needless to say that young man dropped out of seminary soon. I don't know where he ended up; I so wanted to apply to be his pastor!
In today's passage, Paul shares what it was like for him, as a first generation Christian pastor. It's quite a scary list of things the boy had to endure, and this in the context of his writing to other first century ministers and co-laborers in Christ's vineyard as servants. He urges first, that they/we should not receive God's grace in vain, because God said in Isaiah 49:8 that God has heard us in His time of favor, and in the day of salvation, God helped us. And Paul believes that their present day was the day of favor and the day of salvation. As pastors and servants of God, Paul says their mission to present the freest, most open way/road to God, with no stumbling blocks. Theirs is a ministry of integrity so that no shame or discredit can come to their name or to the name of Jesus. Sadly, in the news and social media, countless pastors and church leaders are being accused of misdeeds and transgressions, and are stepping down from their roles and positions. Paul sums up some of his pastoral challenges as "great endurance; troubles, hardships and distresses; beatings, imprisionments and riots." He then adds, "In hard work, sleepless nights and hunger," then moves to the positive side, "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love, truthful speech and in the power of God;" all with "the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left," in those things that bring glory and dishonor, bad report and good report," even enduring being seen as imposters when he knows they are genuine; being seen as unknowns even when they are indeed known, dying, and yet living on; beaten, but not killed; filled with sorrow, but always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing everything. Sigh.
Despite the challenges and persecutions they faced, Paul and his fellow workers maintained integrity and continued to rejoice in the Lord. Their lives were filled with the peace of Jesus which easily defeats the sorrows that Satan tries to throw on those who belong to Jesus. This demonstrates the upside-down nature of God's kingdom, where strength is found in weakness and joy transcends circumstances. Many has asked many of us, and we have even asked ourselves if we would do it all over again; absolutely, no doubts or questions about it. Some of us would have loved to have started earlier or worked maybe even harder to reach the world for Jesus Christ. What about you and your walk with God?
PRAYER: Awesome God, We thank You for Your Word that encourages and challenges us to live as faithful servants and partners in Your kingdom. Like Paul and his companions, help us to embrace the call to ministry with courage and endurance. Grant us the strength to navigate challenges and hardships, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for us. Fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in purity, patience, and genuine love towards others. Help us to live with integrity and to speak truthfully, relying on Your power to transform lives. Lord, open our hearts to receive Your love more deeply and to extend that love generously to those around us. May our lives be a testimony to Your faithfulness and grace. This we lift up in faith and with gratitude in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Review the list above of what it takes to faithfully serve God and seek opportunities this week to serve and encourage someone in need, demonstrating the power of God's love in practical ways. Let us strive to live as ambassadors of Christ, proclaiming His kingdom and reflecting His character in every aspect of our lives.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
