Passage:

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.4.1-2.esv

Paraphrase:

It is for this reason that we do not throw in the towel: God has given us the ministry of mercy. And for that, we have turned away from doing anything underhanded or disgraceful. We don’t manipulate or play to the crowd. We’re not cutting out parts of scripture we don’t like just to make everyone happy. Instead, we’re preaching the truth and letting everyone peer into our lives to see how it all works for God’s glory.

Premise:

Paul is telling the Corinthians that he did not just take on the ministry trying to secure a following for himself. But rather it is through God’s mercy that he is where he is, doing what he is doing. He says he’s not using the scripture to fit it into his life but adjusting his life to what scripture says.

Principle:

What we have and who we are is from God’s mercy on our lives.

We do not adjust scripture to make ourselves happy but adjust our lives to fit what God says.

We don’t try to manipulate the Bible to accommodate others and or justify sin.

Practice:

Give thanks for where God has brought me.

Be consciously aware of how I use and handle scripture.

Live our what the Bible says and don’t compromise the WORD.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for how you’ve worked in my life. I know that who I am and where I am is because of your great mercy. Help me to handle your WORD with extreme care, not only speaking it but loving it out. May you receive glory from my life.