Christian Ministers

But as God's ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:

By great endurance, by afflictions,

By hardship, by difficulties,

By beatings, by imprisonments,

By riots, by labours,

By sleepless nights, by times of hunger,

By purity, by knowledge,

By patience, by kindness,

By the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

By the message of truth, 

By the power of God;

Through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left,

Through glory and dishonour,

Through slander and a good report;

As deceives yet true;

As unknown yet recognised;

As dying and look - we live;

As being disciplined yet not killed;

As grieving yet always rejoicing;

As poor yet enriching many;

As having nothing yet possessing everything. 2 Cor 6:4-10

The book of Acts attests to verses 4 and 5. Paul suffered for the gospel, as the Lord had told him he would.

Verses 6,7 deal with character traits perceived only with the eye of faith. ( Kendell H.  Easley)

Verses 8-10 talks about the paradox of genuine Christian ministry. ( Kendell H Easley) Slander is prolific against Christian leaders. The leader of the largest church in Australia, Ps Brian Houston from Hillsong, is often in the news, especially when embittered or offended people talk to the press. Yet the church keeps growing and the people keep coming.

If we want an easy life as a Christian, we are mistaken. We have an enemy who hates us and will pour all he can at our character, he will exploit our weaknesses and use anyone he can to bring us down. Leaders are particularly vulnerable. Amen!