“We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. But in everything as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 6:3-4 CSB)
At first glance this verse sounds like bragging, or pride, or arrogance. Actually, just the opposite is true.
The word “stumble” in the New Testament is really a reference to “offend.” A “stumbling block,” for example, is something that is offensive. To cause someone to stumble is to offend them in some way so as to turn them away. What Paul is saying, then, is that he and other Christian servants intentionally serve in ways that will not provide an opportunity for people to be offended and, thus, use that offense as an excuse for rejecting the gospel.
Some may think this sounds like “political correctness,” but not at all. The reality of what these verses are talking about can be encapsulated in one word: integrity.
To paraphrase, what Paul is saying is, “In terms of Christian service and servanthood, we aim for total integrity by enduring whatever is necessary, going through whatever affliction comes our way, by accepting hardship and stress, and so on, and we do this so that no one can accuse us of being self-seeking, or of hypocrisy, or of lacking integrity. We don’t want to let anything like that become someone’s excuse for rejecting the gospel.”
All who engage in Christian service in any form, whether professional or not, should take these words to heart. In America for certain there has been some serious erosion of confidence in the integrity of Christian ministry. That has become some folks’ excuse for rejecting the gospel of Jesus. Anyone involved in Christian service at any level should aim for total integrity in lifestyle, in example, and in relationships. We must ensure that no one can use anything from our lives and service as an excuse for turning away from Jesus.
Father, Help us today to live the life we profess, and to do so in such a way that no question can be raised that would prevent someone from coming to You. Amen.
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