Wednesday, June 24, 2009
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
YOU ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST: YOUR MINISTRY OF MERCY!
I sometimes find it funny how long a conversation of e-mails will run with the responses back and forth. The Apostle Paul, however, did not find it funny that he was writing another letter to the Christians in Corinth. Rather, he found it was necessary. God also finds it necessary to remind us again and again through His Word.
Paul is a good example for us because even in potentially frustrating situations he remained faithful in the ministry Christ had given to him. Paul wrote to the Philippians "For me to write the same things to you is not tedious . . ." (3:1). Paul had been entrusted with this ministry, therefore he continued to respond to the Corinthian Christians accordingly. So why should I remember my baptism? Our Heavenly Father has taught us that in a way similar to our Savior's ministry, THIS is when each of OUR ministries really began.
I enjoy the view of a beautiful landscape that lies beyond a crystal clear lake. In the reflection of that lake you see the reflected features and colors of the real thing. My life as a child of God should be a reflection of the real thing--Christ. In view of Christ's merciful forgiveness, out of love for Him each day in my life, I want to reflect all of His features, characteristics, and colors that are beautifully revealed through His Word. Therefore, I am to blame when I continue to distort Christ's image. You don't see reflective landscapes in troubled waters, nor should we continue to allow our sins to distort the beauty of Christ's blood that was shed to paint each one of us with the love of His forgiveness. It is because of His merciful forgiveness that in each of our lives we do not lose heart.
"Therefore [Paul writes to the Romans], we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (6:4).
