What fuels your ministry?

1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

I know I am about to state the obvious here, but bear with me. Paul is saying he confidently moves forward with his ministry because he has it “by the mercy of God.” It can be rightly stated that we are empowered by God’s mercy everyday whether we are aware of it or not. Many times it is only after reflecting upon the past that we become more aware that God’s mercy was what carried us through. We may not have been conscious of it during a particular trial, but that is not the case with Paul here. There is a connection between the mercy of God and Paul’s active awareness of that mercy that empowers him so that he does not lose heart in the face of affliction and anything else that might discourage him from carrying out his ministry. He is actively aware of God’s mercy before he “suits up” so to speak.

I find it particularly interesting that his statement is immediately followed by him saying “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word” So let that sink in for a minute. Here it is again.

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

God and his mercy empowered Paul to fulfill his ministry and it is that alone that drives him. He seeks no one’s praise and approval because he already has the approval of the only person that matters. God. The “but” is that if one is not driven by this understanding then something else will drive one’s “ministry.” For he says, “we do not lose heart. BUT we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.” Why would anyone be driven to engage in disgraceful and underhanded ways? I propose that it will almost always be the desire to be liked, affirmed, honored and praised by others. In such cases it is no wonder that such ministries are characterized by the peddling and tampering of God’s word. It is when these false ministers notice the absence of affirmation, honor and praise that they lose heart.