Read 2 Corinthians 4:-18. V2 [We] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty.
Every Christian has a ministry. You do have one, you know, whether you’re using it or not. You have an effect on everyone you meet, for good or ill. Either you move people close to Jesus or further away from Him. You’ve also received God’s mercy. He’s in the process of seeing you through so that you don’t collapse on the job. Indeed, God does not give you work to do without also the strength to do it. What makes for success in the ministry? Paul claims the key is renouncing all dishonesty. If you want your ministry to be effective, pinpoint that which you have been keeping hidden from the gaze not only of other people, but also from your own conscious mind and hopefully, you thought, from God. He won’t make any discoveries about you in the next fifteen minutes. He already knows all about you,past, present, and future. So tell Him the truth. Leave it there with Him at Calvary and it’s no longer hidden; it’s covered by the blood. Oh, what a difference! Finally, what happens when you try to minister your own way? My friend Lloyd Cory talks about a person living according to Finagle’s Law, which translated means, he who finagles often gets finagled in return. You don’t have to be crafty to try to work things out your own way. God’s way, in God’s power, is an unstoppable combination! Don’t try to get your way by guile or smartness or by some power play that leaves your opponents in the dust. Just be what you are by the grace of God. Give out His Word just as it is written; don’t handle it deceitfully. Manifest the truth. Do it and see what God will do through you. What makes your ministry successful? Being open with God!
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
