25 Oct November 8th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE GOSPEL BRINGS SALVATION

2 Corinthians 6:3  “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.”

Personality, popularity, focus upon notoriety is the heart and soul of success.  The how to sell manual says first you must sell yourself before you can sell your product.  Image building is an industry today.  You must market yourself in order to market what you sell.

St. Paul would not do well if it required marketing himself.  He refused to conduct his ministry based upon selling himself.  The focus of his ministry was upon Jesus Christ and the Gospel that proclaimed Him as Savior of the world.  Such was the case of John the Baptist.  He said of himself, “He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less. . . Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life . . . ” (John 3:30, 36)

The Lutheran Study Bible in a footnote, comments on 2 Corinthians 6:3,

“As a minister of the Gospel, Paul was careful not to get in the way of the message of Jesus. He was the messenger, not the message.” In today’s church where marketing and packaging of the message has taken on a life of its own, it is good to read today’s devotional verse that says it is not the package, the trimmings, the presentation that is of importance.  It is the message.

This is what Romans 1:16-17 says, isn’t it?  There St. Paul writes, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Prayer:  Your Word, O Lord, is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Keep my heart and mind focused on Your word of truth.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Refrain:     Listen, listen, God is calling

Through the Word inviting,

Offering forgiveness, Comfort and joy.

Jesus gave His mandate:  Share the good news

That He came to save us. . .  And set us free.  Refrain:

Let none be forgotten Throughout the world.

In the triune name of God Go and baptize.  Refrain:

Help us to be faithful, Standing steadfast,

Walking in Your precepts, . . .  Led by Your Word.  Refrain:

(LSB 833)