Commendable Representation

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Take your Bibles and turn to 2 Corinthians chapter six. This morning we are looking at verses three through thirteen. The subject of our text is commendable representation.

There is a popular saying that has been going around Christian circles for years. In fact, I have used it on more than one occasion. It has been attributed St. Francies of Assisi. It says, “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary use words.” Now, there is no evidence that this statement was made by St. Francis, but it does describe his teaching style.

St. Francis loves to teach with symbols and images. One particular truth he loved to teach was the incarnation of Christ. As a result, St. Francis is the first person to reenact the manger scene at Bethlehem.

If the take the statement, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words” at face value, it might imply that you don’t need to share Jesus with others, except by how you live your life. I don’t think that is what St. Francis was implying. I believe he was describing his manner of communicating truth through imagery and symbols.

I do believe that the statement implies that we live our lives in such a way that people can see the gospel in our character and conduct. We must live out the gospel so that we give credibility to the gospel when we share it.

2 Corinthians is a letter where Paul has to defend himself to a church that God used him to start. In these verses, he has to defend his character and his conduct.

Paul understood the need to have a consistent walk with Christ to have an effective ministry in and outside the church. Notice his burden in 2 Cor 6:3 “We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,” If we are not consistent in our walk with Christ, we can become a stumbling block to others.

We need to be sure to understand that Paul is not talking about perfection when he says in verse three, “So that no fault may be found in our ministry.” It is not about perfection, but consistency.

Notice 2 Cor 6:4 “but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,”

The Greek word that we translate as “commend” means to make something known by action. Commendable representation for Christ makes the gospel known by actions. The actions must be consistent.

Verse four shows us how Paul became a commendable representative for Christ, “by great endurance.” I love the Greek word that we translate “endurance.” There really isn’t a good English word that gets the full extent of the meaning. It is a compound word, “hupomeno.” “Hupo” means under. “Meno” means dwell or remain.”

It means to dwell or remain under. It means to continue to bear up, to be consistent and constant under the complexities of life. Paul could say that he was a commendable representative for Christ because he was consistent. Therefore, commendable representation is consistent.

What about you? Are you a commendable representative of Christ? Are you living consistently for Jesus? We learn from our text that commendable representation is consistent in the midst of adverse conditions.

Commendable representation is consistent…

1. In the midst of adverse conditions

Let’s pick up in verse four, “by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger.” The first three words describe external pressures of life. The second three describe adverse conditions within our relationships. The third are self-inflicted pressures.

First, the outward pressures. Afflictions speak of physical, emotional, and spiritual adversity. Hardships are the difficulties we face because we live in a sinful world. Calamities means to be confined in a narrow space; that is, conditions that have no escape.

Second, are the adverse conditions in relationships: beatings, imprisonment, and riots. Paul experienced all these things because of the gospel. The gospel caused Paul to have conflict in relationships.

Third, are self-inflicted pressures: labors, sleepless nights, hunger. Paul worked himself to exhaustion.

Let’s face it. Many of us would have given up if we faced the adverse condition that Paul faced. Paul didn’t give up. He showed great endurance and consistency in being faithful in his walk with the Lord. He didn’t let his faith waver. He never gave up hope. He never lost sight of Jesus.

We all face hardships in life. How do we respond? How well do we represent Christ in the midst of adverse conditions? You see, how we respond authenticates our faith, or it reveals that our faith is weak, or nonexistent. I have seen many people give up Jesus because of adverse conditions.

Commendable representation patiently endures and consistently walks by faith. When we do, we declare to the world that the gospel is true. We declare to the world that Jesus is the answer; Jesus is all you need, and Jesus is worth it. Commendable representation is consistent in exhibiting Spirit-controlled character.

2. In exhibiting Spirit-controlled character

Verse six, “By purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise.”

Twice Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit, the second time referring to him as the power of God. Therefore, all that’s mentioned in these verses are grace gifts given by the Spirit of God. Commendable representation is only possible when the Spirit of God controls the servants of God; consistently exhibiting Spirit-controlled character.

Purity speaks of a morality that is God honoring. Knowledge is spiritual knowledge that comes when the Spirit of God opens our eyes and we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Patience, kindness, genuine love; all of these are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Truthful speech is a byproduct of the Spirit.

When we are Spirit-controlled it results in righteous living, “with weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.” Paul is using metaphoric language to show, that when we are exhibiting Spirit-controlled character it results in righteous living, which prepares us for the spiritual battle. Righteous living keeps us from becoming a stumbling block to those around us.

The context in which we consistently exhibit Spirit-controlled character is life in general. However, Paul gives two extremes that really can tempt us to act in the flesh. Verse eight; “through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise,” these are opposite extremes. When we are treated wrongly, we are often times tempted to act in the flesh. When we are treated good and praised it can feed our ego. Paul says, no matter what the situation, he has been consistent in exhibiting Spirit-controlled character. Not perfect, but consistent. In all situations we need to be consistent in exhibiting Spirit-controlled character. Commendable representation is consistent in paradoxical experiences.

3. In paradoxical experiences

Verse eight, “We are treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” You have seven statements that are negative followed by seven positive statements. The negative refer to the troubles we face. The positive speak of the triumph we experience in spite of the troubles. These are paradoxical experiences. Though we are trouble by life, we have victory in Christ.

Paul consistently looked at life through the gospel. In knew that no matter what happens he is more than a conqueror in Christ. He understood that God works all things together for good for those who love God. Therefore, he could consistently endure troubles, knowing that he has victory. Commendable representation is consistent in practicing the love of Christ.

4. In practicing the love of Christ

Verse eleven, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but are restricted in you own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.”

Paul is practicing the love of Christ in his relationship with the Corinthian believers. Paul had been deeply hurt by this church because they believed the lies that the false teachers were spreading about Paul. They ended up turning a cold shoulder to Paul. They rejected him, but Paul did not respond in kind. Instead, he shows us how the reconciled are to demonstrate the love of Christ in all of our relationships.

Three things that are present when one is practicing the love of Christ in relationships: honesty, love, and a desire for reconciliation and unity. Paul says, “We have spoken freely to you.” That is honesty. He expresses his love when he says, “Our heart is wide open.” And his desire for reconciliation and unity, “widen your hearts to us also.”

As Christ children, who are loved and forgiven by Christ, we must practice the love and forgiveness of Christ in our relationships. When we do, we become imitators of God, revealing God in our actions and attitudes. When we consistently practice the love of Christ in our relationships, people see Jesus.

The late Francis Schaeffer, not to be mistaken for St. Francis of Assisi, was one of the greatest apologists for the Christian faith. He once said, “Love is the final apologetic. It is the defense for the gospel for which there is no defense.” Jesus said, “They will no you are my disciples by the love you have for one another.” That is, by the consistent practice of the love of Christ in all your relationships, especially those who belong to the family of God.

Preach the gospel always, and it is necessary to use word, but it is also necessary to embody the gospel in your life by being a consistent commendable representative for Christ.