In Christ by E. Stanley Jones

In Christ by E. Stanley Jones

Author:E. Stanley Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seedbed Publishing
Published: 2017-07-15T00:00:00+00:00


June 28

Peddler’s of God’s Word

WE MOVE ON to another appealing passage: “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:17). This phrase is arresting: “peddlers of God’s word.” Peddlers peddle their wares in order to make a living by them. People were peddling God’s Word for their own ends—to make a living out of God’s Word.

This is a searching passage, for it cuts deep. How many preachers and lay speakers peddle God’s Word to gain attention, to put themselves in the limelight, to satisfy their ego. An opponent of Christianity said to a group of professional Christians, “Jesus died on the cross, but you are living by it.” There is just enough truth in it to make it sting. I saw a bird make the cross at the top of a chapel its basis of operation. He would sit on the cross until an insect came near, and then would dart out and gobble it and return to the cross. It was a base for foraging. We use the cross very often for our own selfish purposes. We hold up the cross to win battles in debate, for our own self-glorification. We preach sermons to get compliments at their close. We become missionaries to satisfy our desire for attention. We are peddlers of God’s Word.

In contrast to that Paul says: “as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” The difference was in the last phrase: “we speak in Christ.” When we speak in ourselves, from ourselves, and for ourselves we are peddlers of God’s Word. When we speak in Christ, however, we are “men of sincerity,” “commissioned by God,” and “in the sight of God.” We are not peddlers but prophets. Then we do not air good views; we proclaim good news. Then we take our stand at the cross, not to forage, but to tell forth the good news.

O Lord God, my Father, give me deep sincerity, a sense of commission, and a knowledge that I’m speaking every moment in Thy sight and with Thy approval. Then I shall stand as the illustration and proclaimer of Thy Son. Amen.

AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Not a peddler of ecclesiastical wares, but a proclaimer of good news—Jesus!



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