2 Corinthians 4:5

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV). This verse is from a section of Scripture titled, “The Light of the Gospel” in the ESV translation. In this section Paul declares the gospel to be veiled to those who are perishing; those who are unbelievers in whom the god of this world has blinded their minds to understanding; who has kept them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. It is this gospel that our verse says we are to proclaim.

Looking at our verse we see a person and two groups of people. The first group is those who proclaim the gospel. The second group is those who the first group proclaim the gospel to. The person is who the gospel is about that is being proclaimed. The presentation being made has nothing to do about us; it is all about Jesus as Lord and his sacrifice in purchasing our salvation. We are to simply present the gospel and any mention of ourselves would be the effect Jesus has made in our lives. We are God’s servants, working on behalf of Jesus, not ourselves.

Prayer

Father, the Scriptures are clear that we, as believers, are a new creation created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of advancing the kingdom of God through proclaiming the gospel. Here in the west we seem to be encumbered with safety, security, comfort and convenience. One or more of these idols tend to persuade us to go on living for ourselves and not be concerned about the unbelievers who will suffer in hell forever if not brought to salvation through our presentation of the gospel. Father, I am so thankful I heard the gospel and learned the way of salvation. Oh, how thankful I am!