“Donʻt receive the grace of God in vain.” (2 Corinthians 6:1)
Success is often measured by financial achievement, public recognition, fame, awards, good grades, many friends, or any number of things. At the other end of the spectrum, some may measure “success” by suffering, hardships, beatings, labor, and deprivation. Paul lists many of these as ‘qualities’ of his ministry but spend some time looking at vs. 6-7…”by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”
In all circumstances and by any measure of success (slander or good report; glory or dishonor; grieving yet always rejoicing) Paulʻs encouragement is to bring glory to God in all things (1 Cor 10:31). Openly minister the good news to those around us or we run the risk of “receiving the grace of God in vain.” Are we keeping the good news of forgiveness through Jesus, secret? Isnʻt this too good to not share?
Donʻt get tangled up with the same things the world wrestles with (vs 14-17). Look again at the qualities of a ministering life in vs 6-7 and let your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control show the world who He is and then letʻs tell them the good news. We donʻt need to be good enough on our own effort to “get into Heaven,” but because of Jesusʻ sacrifice on the cross, we can be forgiven and have eternal life. Success in life is measured in how much we share the grace of God by our words, actions, and reactions.