Dear Missionary – 2 Corinthians 4

Dear Missionary,

2 Corinthians chapter 4 was written for you. Read it, unpack its meaning and apply it to yourself.

2 Cor 4:2. We do not attempt to smuggle the gospel in sideways. We do not tamper with it and soften its blow for the sake of hard hearts. By open statement of the truth you are to declare a spade a spade.

The Jew and the Muslim are in the same boat. They both reject the Son ship of  Jesus. Yet, they are daily converted to Christ. How does this happen?

One Jew, after listening to a sermon by John Piper said this:

“I can’t believe it took me 2 whole years to understand what is said in the audio sermon ‘Education for Exultation in Christ.’ I am a Jew, a Christian Jew and since 2 minutes ago I believe that Jesus is God…. God used that audio sermon to crush the mind of this stubborn Jew…. My eyes went open. Just today I was angry with God. I said to Him: “Why are you letting me search without finding answers?” Well I found it now. Jesus is Elohim!”

How did that happen? It happened by plain open statement of the truth. Jesus did the same thing. He re-labelled the world and its people according to the truth. He said, “You are of your Father, the devil.” Of course, saying this kind of thing will get you crucified.

Peter did the same thing for the Jews in Acts 2:36 and they were cut to the heart. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Not by clever questioning and argument. This is foolishness to the world but to the believer, this message is the wisdom of God.

Think of the man who knows he has cancer but tells no one and denies it within himself. You come to him and say, “My friend, you have cancer and you are going to die.” He laughs at you and is perhaps even a little offended. But you have spoken to him about the way things really are, and though he suppresses it, he knows it to be true. He will be convicted. He will not forget your words.

So also with the gospel. John says,

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1Jn 2:21-23)

Those that deny the Son ship of Jesus are lying. And since they deny the Son, they have no part in the Father either.

Mohammed denies the Son-ship of Jesus. Therefore Mohammed, and all who follow his way have not the Father either. But sheep will believe and confess and your mission is to find sheep. Such sheep will only respond to the voice of the Shepherd. Be that voice and go and find sheep.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him. (1 John 4:15)

As to Suffering. Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 that, on account of such a message, he was being crushed. Why such suffering? He answers our question in verse 15. For the comfort and salvation of the lost. It is for the expansion of grace and the thanksgiving of those who hear and believe and give glory to God.

Suffering, therefore, is by design. It is measured out by infinite love and mercy for the sake of the salvation of others to the glory of God.

Use the examples you have seen in Jesus, in Paul and in Peter. Take time to think upon these things and make them your evangelism. Think about what Judson did and begin to formulate a Christ centred, bible believing response to those who would question you.

You do not need to prove the Son ship of Jesus. The Spirit will open a man’s eyes to this truth. You remind others that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light. Nobody comes to the Father but through Him. Break down your pride and yield to Jesus!

You warn and declare to others that Jesus, whom the Jews crucified, has been made Lord and Christ and that there is salvation in no other Name under heaven. If they do not listen, it is because there is no light in them.

Do not find yourself bogged down in endless debate. Avoid the traps that come through friendship evangelism for the sake of, “winning them” to yourself. You are not to salvage your own reputation. At every turn you are to declare what is true. Warn those who reject it and comfort those whose faith is weak in it.