STEWARDSHIP FOCUS
 
THE ORIGIN OF ALL MINISTRY                 Craig A. Cooper

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:1
 
It’s all too common to lose heart at all times, to grow weary, to become calloused, to cultivate cynicism, and to finally want to just give up entirely. Ministry is hard because loving others is hard, preferring others is hard, and serving others is hard, particularly when met with criticism and hostility as the apostle Paul experienced in Corinth. The natural inclination to opposition is retaliation or retreat.
 
The supernatural response to opposition is a steadfast display of tenderness in the face of anger. This is highlighted for us in 1 Peter 2:19-24, where the apostle Peter shows us that it is a gracious thing to endure sorrows while suffering unjustly.
 
Jesus experienced the agony of doing good and being met with oppression and torment as a response. He is our Savior and our chief example. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return, but entrusted Himself to the Father above. We are called to follow in His footsteps.

How do we not lose heart when others contest us for our acts of love? We remember that the origin of all ministry is mercy. Christ did good and suffered in response, in our place, as our substitute, and as our perfect example that we might follow in His footsteps. Now He pronounces blessings on those who extend His mercy:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
 
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. S:7-12)

Mercy is the origin of our ministry, it is the manner of our ministry, and it is the message of our ministry because it’s the nature of the Lord: “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful” (Ps. 116:5). As we have received mercy, may we also be a reflection of mercy!