The Light of the knowledge of God

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to 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. - 2 Corinthians 4.5-6

Today's verse ties in well with yesterday's.

Sometimes we forget who our service is all about. The bad thing is that it can be a struggle for the whole gamut of ministries. If a ministry is growing and vibrant and big and, in the world's eyes, successful it can be tempting for the workers to think that it is because of their skills and abilities.

On the other hand if their work is slow and struggling and difficult and small the workers may be tempted think that it is because they are such failures.

But the reality is that it really is not about us (more on that tomorrow). We are but the bond slaves of Christ. We just preach Jesus - that's it. That's all there is to it.

He is the one who commanded light out of the darkness of creation. He is the one shines in the darkness of men's hearts to bring the knowledge of the glory of God.  He is the light that shines, our hearts reflect His light.

I read a story yesterday about a town in a valley in Norway that has built three big mirrors on the ridge above the town to reflect the sun's light down into the valley during the cold dark months of autumn and winter. Those mirrors are tools to reflect the sun's light down into the town. 

Like those mirrors, which only work when they are focused on the sun, we can only work when we are focused on the Son, not on ourselves.

We don't preach ourselves. We preach only Christ.