The Christian life starts out with learning of all that God has done for us through Christ (John 3:16). We also learn of all that we've done for God as a sinner. God has loved us, even though we did not love Him. We have ignored Him; violated His law; disrespected - even mocked His Word; or perhaps we've attempted to use Him for our advantage by being "religious" (Isaiah 53:2-11; 29:13; Romans 3:10-18; Titus 3:3-7). After we have made peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we eventually begin to learn that we have a ministry - a job to do. Our relationship with God is described as a "calling" or "vocation" (Ephesians 4:1 ~ Note the word "prisoner"). Let's begin to examine the ministry of every Christian.
A Ministry of Light II Corinthians 4:1-6
- Motivated by mercy (II Corinthians 4:1 cp. Romans 12:1).
- Methods of integrity (II Corinthians 4:2a cp. 2:14-17).
- Manifestation of the truth (II Corinthians 4:2b cp. II Thessalonians 2:13)
- Mindful of Satan's warfare (II Corinthians 4:3-4 cp. Ephesians 6:10-20
- Meekness: focusing attention on Christ (II Corinthians 4:5 cp. I Corinthians 2:1-2; 9:19-23)
- Mirroring Christ's light to others (II Corinthians 4:6 cp. Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16)
A Ministry of Reconciliation II Corinthians 5:14-21
- Christ's love rules (II Corinthians 5:14 cp. I John 3:16-18; Romans 8:37 ~ vs. 35-39; II Timothy 2:10)
- Christ's life Leads (II Corinthians 5:15 cp. Mark 10:45; Ephesians 5:1-2)
- Christ's Spirit is reality (II Corinthians 5:16 cp. John 14:15-23; 16:7-15)
- Christ connects and creates (II Corinthians 5:17 "in Christ" & "new creation")
What's new about the new creation?
- We are a friend of God and a friend-maker for God via the Ministry of econciliation (II Corinthians 5:18 cp. I Timothy 1:12-16)
- We reveal God's friendliness via the Word of Reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:19 cp. Proverbs 18:24; John 15:13; Romans 2:4 "goodness of God")
- We are ambassadors for Christ - reaching God's enemies (II Corinthians 5:20 cp. Romans 5:5-11)
- We are absolved (forgiven; made free from guilt) by Christ (II Corinthians 5:21 cp. Ephesians 1:6-7)
We put on Christ and stand before men,
because Christ put on our sin and stood before God. |
