David Bahn – Reflections

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I’m using the 49 Week Bible Challenge for these blog posts. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are 2 Corinthians 4; Psalm 30; 37; 116.

2 Corinthians 4:1-10

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would 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 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies.

I’m pretty much a hit the nail with the hammer kind of guy. I’m not often subtle. In fact I sometimes feel as though if I don’t say it straight out, I’m being duplicitous. Part of that is due to the fact that I’m not particularly wired to take a hint. I’m more inclined to understand a direct comment than an innuendo. Give it to me straight!

Even though I’m more inclined to direct communication, I am still able to read between the lines of certain communications. And I deplore underhanded communications, deceptive talk, or cloaked threats.

That was apparently what was going on in Corinth. Paul will not practice cunning or tamper with God’s word. He is committed to the open statement of the truth. His yes is yes. His no is no.

Years ago we lived in Utah, and we learned much about the LDS church and their tactics. They start conversations with unsuspecting people by talking about family and decency, values and home. But as you delve deeper into the Mormon beliefs you discover some major surprises. Mr. & Mrs. God with their own planet? Temple marriage of one man to many wives – and the women’s means of being saved dependent on their husband – not on Jesus’ death and resurrection.

That’s just one example. There are many places and ways people seek to deceive and corrupt God’s truth. That is not the true way of God. As Paul writes, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

So let me say plainly: I am a clay jar with a precious treasure of God’s grace and love. That treasure is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. I delight to point that out whenever I can. It’s God’s power that saves and none of us need to hide that truth from anyone.