And Wordlive do it again!

I was just thinking about the "thing-at-the-end-of-the-week" and about the opportunity that I am giving people, just by attending it, to attack me and the love we have, and how, as a wordsmith, there are things creeping into my mind that I could say, that would hurt, that would shut people up long enough for me to escape.

And Wordlive today?

2 Corinthians 4

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

¹ Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ⁶ For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Main point: Touching base

It’s critical!
No one likes being criticised. And it can be even worse if our integrity is questioned. That was what happened to Paul.

His enemies in Corinth despised him and tried to undermine his authority in the church. So he had to defend himself without really wanting to boast or claim things which might impress but which he found distasteful. He denies being underhanded (vs 1,2), accuses his opponents of being blind (vs 3,4) and reminds them of his calling (vs 5,6).

Authentic faith
In chapter 3 Paul had compared his own experience of gazing upon God with that of Moses (see Exodus 34:33–35). Paul received his commission as an apostle when he saw the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1–19). That’s why he tells the church that his opponents can never make him lose heart (v 1) and he doesn’t need to bend the truth or act in a deceptive manner (v 2).

Paul’s authentic faith has led him to be God’s servant – and theirs.

Touching base
At times of accusation or misunderstanding it is vital to touch base with our experience and knowledge of the truth about Christ. Maybe you have experienced this in the past. Bring that situation to Christ, praying for the kind of grace that Paul demonstrates here.

Robert Willoughby

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Ooooch!

Ok. So I know, and He knows, that these attacks are likely. And between us (and we all know that means through his Grace!) I have to still play nice, because that's what the world needs.

Message received. Attempts at understanding made. Showering whilst I think on it.

These Wordlive chaps are fearfully clever - do they have a copy of my calendar or something? Maybe the house is bugged!