Paul, reflecting on the ministry in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 so beautifully declares: “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” The implicit answer to Paul’s rhetorical question is that no one is. If the Apostle Paul came to question the effectiveness of his ministry and his own ability to fulfill it, no wonder modern day ministers confront such a dilemma! The cost must be counted at the beginning and in every forward and backward step along the journey.
The simple fact of the matter is that we as human beings can only be transformed and changed by the power and grace of God. Whether the obstacles to discipleship be immorality and falsehood or materialism and self, the minister and missionary of the gospel of God faces a many challenges. Ultimately God demands not results (that’s His business) but faithfulness on the part of his servant. Many times those two concepts go hand in hand-but not always.
The prayers of God’s saints are of tremendous importance in this spiritual ministry arena that we find ourselves. The prayers of God’s saints make a difference. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…” Prayer is the secret weapon, and the spread of the gospel in a dark world is directly proportional to our commitment to it. Will you pray for the missionaries you know today? They and those touched by them will be eternally grateful to you.
In other news…no meeting today, but rather tomorrow, at 10 a.m. We continue to covet your prayers.
Quote of the Day: We must not cry “Go on,” but “Come on.” Our people may justly expect of us that we should be among the most self-denying, the most laborious, and the most earnest in the church, and somewhat more. Charles Spurgeon