Monday, June 11, 2012
2 Corinthians 4:5a For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord ...
WE DO NOT PREACH OURSELVES
WE
It seems plain in context that the Apostle Paul is here speaking first of himself and his fellow workers, whose mission it was to communicate the Gospel of Christ to the people of the first century. They went about the countryside announcing and proclaiming not themselves but Christ Jesus the Lord.
However, the apostle and his travel companions were not the only ones proclaiming Christ Jesus the Lord. Those who heard the Gospel of Christ also went out and made known what great things God had done for them. This WE included more than those called and sent directly by God into the public ministry. This WE included also those who heard and by the grace of God believed.
WE
This we includes all of us. The message that we have been given by God to give to others is not: "Look at me!" It is rather, "Look at Christ and what He has done!" We direct people to Jesus' active obedience, His perfect keeping of the Law of God -- not to our or their goodness. We direct people to Jesus' passive obedience, His willing sacrifice to atone for our sins -- not to our sacrifices.
HE
It is what HE has done that makes US Children of God by faith -- and eager messengers of His Name.
