2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)
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Verse 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Verse 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Verse 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. Verse 6For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Devotion
"For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."
For Paul, everything focuses on Christ. Nowadays, cameras focus automatically. But in old cameras of yesteryear, you would twist the lens to bring the picture into focus. The picture was always better when it was crisp and clear.
As Christians, we focus on Christ and his sacrificial love for all humanity. He gives the gift of himself to other people in need. In Christ, we are given the crisp and clear picture of what it means to give of ourselves to others.
Yet the sacrificial love of Christ remains a theological concept from the past, unless that love is daily reborn into each one of us, and we learn to love as Christ loves. Intentionally focusing on Christ inspires us to love more fully, so we can truly learn to give and live.
Prayer
Jesus, please work your miracle in our hearts and habits so that we love others more fully like Christ loved. Amen.