Criticism
of the gospel ministry is nothing new (ol’ Solomon was right, you know: there
is nothing new under the sun), so we can find great encouragement to remain
faithful in all we do out of love for the Lord by considering how the apostle
Paul rooted the defense of his ministry in truth. He writes:
“For the
Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy
and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of
God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen
to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and
has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in
our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me--it was to
spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it
over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your
faith.” [2Co 1:19-24 ESV]
Paul is truthful in ministry because Jesus is truthful--and why not? He IS The
truth! Jesus is Paul’s message! Notice what he says: “For the Son of God,
Jesus Christ,” Paul uses the full title of Jesus, leaving no room for
doubt as to the content and authority of the message; “whom we proclaimed
among you” . Who is “we”? Me [Paul],
Silvanus, [aka Silas] and Timothy [people you know]. This congregation knew the messengers personally (they were not strangers) and the message they brought “was
not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.” Nothing is more true than the Son
of God, Jesus Christ. “For all the promises of God in Him [are] Yes, and
in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Test
anyone who says they are a minister of the gospel by examining their words and
works in the context of truth.
- Do they look out for themselves, surrounding
themselves with body guards and "yes" men?
- Do they always talk about Jesus, or have a
platform for other topics?
- Are their words and works supported by a God who
cannot lie?
- Is Jesus the guarantee of every promise (Heb 7:22)?
- Can the Holy
Spirit confirm that what they say is in fact, true?
Paul reminds his reader that the reason they have this
relationship is because of the God-approved the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Everything God does for us is a done-deal in Christ--there is not
guessing about what He has done, what He means or intends. Their criticism of Paul is unfounded.
You can
stand on God's promises because they are time-tested in the reality of Jesus’
presence on earth through an actual people who exist. Every time you watch the
news and hear the name “Israel,” you should be reminded of His promise given at
the fall of man in the garden of the coming redeemer.
You can
stand on the promises because Christ is the way it is with God. He is the Word
of God, made flesh and dwelt among us, and He is our solemn prayer to God.
