Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #83

The Unfading Minister (4:1)

4:1 "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart."

In chapter three (esp. 6-11) Paul was contrasting "the ministry of death/condemnation" (the old covenant) with " the ministry of the Spirit/righteousness" (the new covenant). One of the primary contrasts he makes is between the fading nature of the old covenant and the unfading nature of the new. Now he says that because of this ("therefore"), as ministers of this new covenant, we do not lose heart. In other words, because we are servants of a covenant that does not fade, we do not fade in our service of it.

Our lives reflect the life of Christ. Our love reflects His love. Our glory reflects His glory. Our perseverance reflects His perseverance. This ministry we have as members of the new covenant is not ours but Christ’s through us.

This "we do not lose heart" certainly contains an exhortation for us to not lose heart ourselves. But it is primarily a statement of fact. God’s servants do not lose heart because the cause for which they labor, and the One whose glory shines through them, do not fade.

It is the nature of Christ and His new covenant to make people bold and tenacious. We press on because He is pressing us on.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Is.40:28-31)

Since 1970, You have kept me steadfast in the faith, O my Lord. I praise Your holy name! Please let my life show forth the unfading glory of Christ. As I continue to age, may His life and power be increasingly apparent in me. As my outer man decays, please inwardly renew me day by day.