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2nd Corinthians 4 Key Verse: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)
Military Truisms
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with some of the brave men and women who have so honorably served the various branches of the US Military. It was thru them I heard about "Military Truisms". By definition, a truism is an "obvious truth". Thus, a military truism is an obvious truth about the military (rocket science, I know). There are so many, but here are a couple of my favorites: "Aim toward the enemy (instruction printed on a US rocket launcher)", "When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is no longer our friend", "Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you", and my favorite, "Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you are". These just make me laugh. Of course, the wonderful thing about them is that they are easy to understand. When you pull the pin on a grenade, throw it quickly or it might blow up in your hand. If you are "drawing fire" then that fire you are drawing might also hit someone other than you. Bottom line, ... They are amusing phrases that help us remember important truths.
In terms the obviousness of the truth, If we were to measure this chapter of 2nd Corinthians with these military truisms, we would find it to be more of a challenge. All and all, the disciples were not much different than many of us. It's a guess, but I'll bet the disciples would have preferred military truisms to the parables. In Matthew 13 verse 10, the disciples flat out asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” (Matthew 13:10 NIV) A little further down in that same chapter in verse 36, it says "His disciples came to him and said, 'Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.'” (Matthew 13:36 NIV) Jesus' use of the parable as a teaching tool proved to be quite the challenge. I wonder if there are Christian truisms out there (something new to google - yay)?
The Paradox
Jesus makes use of a couple of literary devices in the Bible. The literary device used here is the paradox. A paradoxical statement is used to expose a deeper meaning with one that seems to contradict itself. The command to fix our eyes on that which is unseen is very much the paradoxical statement. So, what should we do with this chapter, and how should we best convey its meaning to others?
Quick Chapter Synopsis: Sharing The Gospel
2nd Corinthians chapter 4 actually speaks of the ministry that is telling others about Jesus; the ministry of "setting forth the truth plainly" to others. It even goes so far as to say not to use "secret" or "deception" in the process. Afterwords, If they are unable to see it ("if our Gospel is veiled") then they won't see it ("it is veiled to those who are perishing"). Finally, it says to not lose heart; don't get discouraged.
Thus, basically, this chapter tells us to focus our attention on sharing the true meaning of what Christ's death 2000 years ago means to a person today in terms of Eternity. It's a difficult journey, so don't get discouraged. Keep your eye on the prize!
Share The Truth, And Nothing But The Truth, So Help You...
Sell Them The Truth. First, It's clear in this chapter that Paul does not want us to act like used car salesmen here. Be clear and direct; don't try to sell it, just share it. Share the truth. Share the faith. My Father was a therapist prior to retiring and he would tell me to share my experience, strength, and hope. Share your experience of coming to Jesus. Share how it has made you stronger. Then, share how Jesus in your life has given you hope for tomorrow. Thus, keep to the story of Jesus, and that hope we now have with Him in our lives. Understand how Jesus has touched your life, and communicate that story and what it means.
Eternal Life: This Car Sells Itself. Second, as we share our faith, we need to remember successful delivery of the message affords the listener with eternal life in heaven, due as a grace from Christ's sin atoning death. Wow! Exciting! We absolutely cannot take this basic element of the message for granted. In terms of the attractiveness, Eternity, as I say, is a long time. Think of the eternal significance of following Jesus as "the hook". Work it backwards, anything that gives us eternal life might cause me to want to hear the whole thing. This should also be our motivation for sharing. It's like telling someone about a gift waiting for them. That's always exiting.
The Next Salesman May Get The Sale. Lastly, it's easy to get discouraged - so just don't. Your job is to be the so called hands and feet. The power is with the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it's the Holy Spirit that leads the person to Christ; not you or your smooth delivery. You may be the one to watch them find Christ, but you may just be one more person on that trail. Kind of think of the whole process of sharing your faith like the process of losing weight. The first step to losing weight is to stop gaining... right? The first step to sharing your faith more effectively is to just stop avoiding the opportunities you have. Sharing your faith does not have to involve a "tract" like the "Four Spiritual Laws" or some other elaborate process (though they definitely help), it can just be while talking to a colleague, you share about the things that work for you in your life. Little by little, I think we will all find that fulfilling the great commission is easier than we thought.
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Christian Truism attempt: "Spin the dice, because you may not crash twice"
Ha Ha. Maybe my gifts in prose lie elsewhere.
In His Grace,
Tim
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