"We Preach Not Ourselves" Part# 2 of 2

2nd.Corinthians 4:1-7  "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the WORD of GOD deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of GOD. But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world [the Devil] has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of CHRIST, WHO is the image of GOD, should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but CHRIST JESUS the LORD; and ourselves your servants for JESUS' sake. For GOD, WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST. But we have this treasure [the Gospel] in earthen vessels [the child of GOD], that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us."

     Every believer should be grateful for the privilege GOD has given us to preach CHRIST as the only SAVIOR from sin. But did you ever realize how thankful we also should be that we can preach JESUS CHRIST - the perfect, sinless LAMB of GOD - and "not ourselves" (vs.5) ? Think how disappointed and disillusioned people would be if they trusted in us rather than JESUS CHRIST. The Apostle Paul realized this fact, and although he was a wonderful man of GOD, he knew that he and every other believe were but "earthen vessels" that GOD had designed to use in proclaiming the glorious message of Salvation by grace through faith in CHRIST alone (vs.7). People might have found fault with him, but they could find no fault in the ONE he declared.

     Now the fact that we preach JESUS CHRIST and not ourselves does not relieve us from the responsibility of seeking to be the best example possible in our daily walk before saved and unsaved alike. True believers certainly want the eyes of all people to be on JESUS, not on themselves; however, it is a sad reality that the careless conduct of so many professing believers today actually turns people away from CHRIST rather than to HIM. The content of the message becomes blurred by the bad conduct of the messenger. Our behavior (testimony) before others must "become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1-8).

     Let us thank GOD that we can preach the LORD JESUS CHRIST and not ourselves. We must give earnest heed to "adorn the doctrine of GOD" (Titus 2:10), for so much is at stake. remember, one day we will stand before our LORD and give an account of how we accomplished this vital ministry committed to each child of GOD (2nd.Corinthians 5:14-21). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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