Key Verse: Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. (2 Cor. 4:1)
Thomas Edison is known for some great quotes: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Less pithy than these, but just as true is this one: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” The New Living Translation puts Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 4:1 like this: “Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.”
Don’t lose heart, don’t give up, don’t quit. The Apostle Paul didn’t write these words in a vacuum. He wrote about not losing heart because obviously the thought of losing heart had crossed his mind. He was suffering almost constant persecution, and as he wrote these words he was dealing with opposition within the church at Corinth. He must have had some discouraging thoughts. Anyone would.
What about you? Have you been discouraged in your work? In your relationships? In some ministry you are involved in? Do people or circumstances ever get you down? Are you disheartened by someone opposing you or by lack of results from some effort you are making? Is there something you are praying for, and you are not seeing the answer? Listen to Paul’s words: “Don’t lose heart, don’t give up, don’t quit.”
Paul was a clever man, and it seems that if he was not getting results from his preaching he could have softened the message a bit to make it more appealing. No, he says, “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2).
He lived by a principle that was clear and straightforward: the gospel, plain and simple. He had written to the Corinthians in his first letter, “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (2:1-2) And Paul still lived by that resolution. No tricks, no gimmicks, just the gospel.
But what if people don’t accept it? Can we jazz it up a little? Can we water it down? Paul answers that here in our text: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4:3-4) He had only one message: “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (5).
The bottom line is clear. When you are discouraged, don’t lose heart and don’t quit. Follow the apostle’s example and stand by the principles you held before you were discouraged. Your Lord has not changed, and He is with you.
Prayer: Father, when I am discouraged, help me to trust You and not give up those principles I lived by when things were going smoothly. Let your Word be the star that guides me, not my speculation. Just let me trust You.
Author: Lindsay Hislop was raised in southern Scotland and southern Ontario and now lives in the southern United States. He worked in the engineering field for 15 years (mostly in Canada) before pursuing an academic career. He has taught for over thirty years at Columbia International University. He also serves as an elder in his church, where he teaches and preaches regularly. He is married to a wonderful wife Pam and has two terrific children, Holly, who lives in Canada, and Doug, who lives in Columbia. His four grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Lindsay, and Dolan, are also pretty special. He likes doing carpentry and odd jobs around the house.
