Commended By Choice
Rev. J. Loren Russell
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 NKJV
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
To be commended means to be presented as suitable for approval or acceptance. Paul tells the Corinthian church that everything he and his fellow proclaimers of Christ have done gives undisputable evidence of their reliable, credible testimony that professes and encourages them to “come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.” (v.17)
To commend oneself is difficult. It means giving up things that you may hold near and dear. It may mean giving up activities that you enjoy doing or places you enjoy going. Being commended means that you are willing to not just take off, but take on characteristics that heretofore have been foreign to you. Paul lists several things he and his fellow servants have taken on to exemplify their commendation. The New Living Translation aptly chronicles their characteristics; “alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness,
holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.”
They were willing to endure trials and tribulations for the reward of an entire community who potentially would follow their lead and be commended in the same fashion as he and his colleagues. Not just that, those who choose to commend themselves will be supernaturally enabled by the God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit to endure as Paul and his comrades were able to endure, and that durability is transferable to every area of their lives.
In the final verse of the chapter, Paul writes these encouraging words, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (v.18). I likewise challenge you to be a living testimony of someone who is commended by choice.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
