2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
This is averse that we all need to look closely or have to dig deep to find living water coming from deep beneath. To have a glorious ministry and to experience that glorious ministry, Apostle Paul mentions some of the steps involved.
- REJECTED THE HIDDEN: We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty. The things of dishonesty are nothing else but plainly to be said as hidden things in life, which will not tolerate the light. Paul says that those who practice them are, or should be, ashamed of these hidden things, especially when they are identified in each one. Such hidden things the apostle did not allow, but renounced and avoided the hidden things with indignation.
- NO MORE MASKS ON FACE: Not walking in craftiness, this means not to be in disguise, acting with art and cunningness; but in great simplicity, and with open freedom. They had no wicked masks covered with fair and something that was good.
- GAVE PURE MILK: Nor did they in their preaching handle the word of God deceitfully; but, as said before, they used great plainness of speech, and did not make their ministry serve as if they were saying one thing and they acted in another manner. They did not cheat the people with falsehood instead of truth like some do, mixing more water in milk and selling it in more diluted form which could not be found out at one glance. The apostles acted not like such persons, but they manifested the truth to every man's conscience, declaring nothing but what in their own conscience they believed to be true, so that it would serve for the conviction of their consciences who heard them. The reason Paul and the apostles did so was to make the listeners or followers judge for themselves, and to give an account for themselves.
- SERVICE TO GOD: And all this they did as in the sight of God, desirous thus to commend themselves to God, and to the consciences of men, by their undisguised sincerity. To be commended by others for God’s glorification, whether it be a ministers or servants of God or believers in church, the main thing involved would be that every individual should be steadfast in obedience to the truths of the WORD of God; and sincerity or uprightness will preserve a man's reputation, and the good opinion of wise and good men concerning him.
The treasure of the gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The ministers of the gospel are weak and frail creatures, and subject to like passions and infirmities as other men; they are mortal, and soon broken in pieces. And God has so ordered it that the weaker the vessels are the stronger his power may appear to be, that the treasure itself should be valued the more. There is an Excellency of power in the gospel of Christ, to enlighten the mind, to convince the conscience, to convert the soul, and to rejoice the heart; but all this power is from God the author, and not from men, who are but instruments, so that God in all things must be glorified.
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