Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 1-4.
When one has a product to sell, he will highlight its impressive features and keep silent about any real or perceived problems it may have. It is common for one to exaggerate and even lie in order to sell his product. If sales are not as good as he hopes, he may even decide to change the product altogether to make it more appealing to his target audience. When one is selling a regular product or service, there is nothing wrong with making changes in order to improve sales, as long as he continues to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17, KJV).
However, too many people view the gospel as a product to be sold and will, therefore, change it in order to make it appealing to a larger group of people. Yet the gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16), not a common product to be marketed and sold. Therefore, we must not treat it as common or changeable. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:
“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17).
Instead of corrupting the gospel through marketing tricks, notice what Paul did:
- He spoke “from sincerity” because his purpose was not to make money or gain the largest following for himself that he could. His purpose was simply to save people through the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).
- He spoke “from God” by accurately representing the Scriptures (1 Peter 4:11). He did not add to (2 John 9), take from (Acts 20:27), or change (Galatians 1:6-9) the gospel.
- He spoke “in Christ,” trying to lead men to Him (2 Corinthians 4:5).
- He spoke “in the sight of God,” knowing that he would have to give an account to Him for his work (2 Corinthians 5:10).
We need to preach as Paul preached – not with games, gimmicks, or different gospels, but with sincerity and truth.
Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 5-9
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
