Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #86

Manifesting the Truth (4:2)

4:1-2 "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, BUT BY THE MANIFESTATION OF TRUTH commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God."

It was not only Paul’s message that contained the truth of Christ. It was also his life and ministry, which was "the manifestation of truth."

It is amazing today how many believers in Christ seem to think that it doesn’t matter how you live, that somehow since salvation is by faith alone that it means you can do whatever you want as long as you believe in Christ.

The Christian life is meant to be a manifestation of the truth of Christ. Our lives are supposed to verify the truth our mouths speak. If they don’t, our ministry in this world will be as effective as a smoker who tells his kids not to smoke. He advertizes with his life what he criticizes with his lips.

Is your life a manifestation of God’s truth? None of us can give an unqualified yes to that question, but all of us must give a qualified yes or we have no right calling ourselves Christians:

"By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." (1 John 2:5b–6)

When we’re at the store, when we’re at the workplace, when we’re in the car, when we’re at home, our lives must reflect the reality of Christ. They must show those around us that there is a God, that He is our God, and that He is a good God.

Dear Lord, only You can make me what I need to be. I cast myself upon Your mercy. I don’t even deserve Your forgiveness, but I ask for so much more. I ask for a new heart, a renewed mind, a transformed will. I ask that my eyes would be opened to the magnificence of Your glory that I may be so captivated by Your presence and greatness that it would be plain to everyone that Christ is my all in all.