But we have renounced the hidden things of
shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but
by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in
the sight of God. – 2 Corinthians 4.2
I have only recently discovered the writings of J. C. Ryle.
He was a bishop in the Church of England in the mid-19th century. He was not a
dissenter, but chose to try and reform the creeping liberalism of the church
from the inside. The first book I read by him is the very rare The Bishop,
the Pastor,and the Preacher where he criticised the church for ridding
itself from men like. Latimer, Baxter,
and Whitefield.
I am now reading his book on holiness. Just yesterday I was
reading the section on sanctification. He makes the point that our practical
sanctification involves just what Paul writes about here. We can't claim to be
saved and just keep on going, even if it is stuff others can't see. Paul says that
these men have 'renounced the hidden things of shame.' They have rejected not
only the out in the open obvious sins, but they have rejected the hidden
shameful things. If we are going to 'not lose heart' we had better make sure that
our hearts are right.
Not only that they had rejected trickery and craftiness in
their ministry. They didn't (mis)use the word of God to promote their own
agenda.
They just did right. No show, no self glory, no trickery, no
gimmicks. They just preached the truth and let that work on the hearts of men.
What a pattern for us in our ministries. It's not time to
try to keep up with the latest trends. We need to just manifest the truth in
our lives and in our preaching and let God use it to work in hearts.
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