Having Nothing and Yet Possessing Everything
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
Rather, as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine , yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)
Rather, as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine , yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)
Is the apostle Paul for real? How realistic is the life he describes above?
Paul is taking pride in things that most of us would be ashamed of: troubles, hardships and distresses; hunger and imprisonments; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown. Paul does all this to protect his credibility as a servant of God so that he would not bring shame to His Lord Jesus. In his own words, “so that our ministry will not be discredited.”
A genuine walk with God demands integrity of character. This can be particularly difficult when one is faced with all kinds of opposition, challenges and slander. When one is genuine and yet regarded as an imposter, when there is dishonor and bad report, the temptation to give up can be very strong.
So how can we live that challenging but fulfilling life of integrity in the face of negativity?
This is how: in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; with weapons of righteousness in the left and right hands.
These are the qualities that will enable us to be always joyful even in sorrowful circumstances and possess everything even when we have nothing! This is how we will live even when it feels like we are dying.
So is Paul for real? Yes, he is. Can we experience the same thing? Yes, we can!
We can have nothing and yet possess everything. Jesus set the example. We can follow Him just like Paul did. It is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God.
Paul is taking pride in things that most of us would be ashamed of: troubles, hardships and distresses; hunger and imprisonments; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown. Paul does all this to protect his credibility as a servant of God so that he would not bring shame to His Lord Jesus. In his own words, “so that our ministry will not be discredited.”
A genuine walk with God demands integrity of character. This can be particularly difficult when one is faced with all kinds of opposition, challenges and slander. When one is genuine and yet regarded as an imposter, when there is dishonor and bad report, the temptation to give up can be very strong.
So how can we live that challenging but fulfilling life of integrity in the face of negativity?
This is how: in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; with weapons of righteousness in the left and right hands.
These are the qualities that will enable us to be always joyful even in sorrowful circumstances and possess everything even when we have nothing! This is how we will live even when it feels like we are dying.
So is Paul for real? Yes, he is. Can we experience the same thing? Yes, we can!
We can have nothing and yet possess everything. Jesus set the example. We can follow Him just like Paul did. It is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God.
Prayer: Lord, true life comes from genuinely knowing that I am living a life of integrity to bring honor to your name. Please help me to live my life in a way that will not discredit my testimony and dishonor your holy name. Amen