"For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' [Isaiah 49:8] I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
~2 Corinthians 6:2~
Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character.
The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.
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