We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Paul is not boasting, just stating the characteristics of his ministry. It is right and good, even honoring to the LORD, God, the Almighty, that one of His Ambassadors can endure this list of trials, to glorify His Name.
Can I? And the envelope, please. Wasn't that line from the Price is Right TV show? Well, I'm afraid the answer is, to quote another old cliche, a Bronx Cheer.
But the Apostle Paul does give me an example to emulate.
Readings:
Morning Psalm 4, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 95
