So Not to be Discredited

So Not to be Discredited
Words of Faith 10-23-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Faith Fellowship 30th Anniversary Celebration!
November 1 - 5 pm Potluck Dinner and Praise Night
November 2 - Worship - Dinner on the Grounds - Games and Fun!
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Dr. Hoy's book – “Faith That Works - A Study in James”, 30th Anniversary Edition will be available November 1 & 2 in the FFC lobby, and November 25 on Amazon. Click HERE to preview it.
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2 Corinthians 6
[3] We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

      So exactly how did Paul personally avoid "receiving God's grace in vain"? What was his tactic and strategy? How did he live out a life through which God was making the appeal for reconciliation, and avoid somehow emptying that grace? 

      Paul already declared that he lived a life that was "manifestly apparent", that is, plain to God, and plain to the conscience of those he worked with (5:11). It was a bold claim, but one he could back up. He made a great effort to allow nothing, literally, "not one single thing", that might be an "occasion for sin" and therefore a stumbling block for those he served. He scrupulously avoided any behavior that would weaken his ministry as Christ's Ambassador and God's fellow worker.

     Of course, Paul knew that the message of the Cross would offend many. And he knew that many considered him a fool. But he did not want to deliberately offend by self-serving conduct that would bring disrepute to God or spiritual ruin to a fellow Christian.

     It is interesting that the word translated "discredited" also means censured, a sort of official reprimand, or "to carp with blame," a more unofficial response. Paul was concerned about both the official complaint that might be lodged against him and the potential for blame to be cast. Anything he could reasonably do to keep discredit from coming to his Lord and the ministry of reconciliation. 

      The Lord calls us each to no less careful a walk. We need not be officially ordained, professionally employed, or called to grand travels. In fact, these passages speak very much to the Ambassadorship of all believers. We are called to walk with careful patterns so as not to cause others to stumble or discredit the appeal of Christ through us. 

       Paul had written to the Corinthians in his first letter to be careful not to allow freedom to become a stumbling block to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9). He instructed them that while everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others (11:23-24). Paul was conscientious not to allow his freedom in Christ to somehow discredit the message of reconciliation. Through careful patterns and habits, he sought to safeguard the ministry.

       How are your patterns of life? Are there areas that could be a stumbling block to others? Is there anything that could discredit the message of reconciliation? Is there any habit or pattern that the Lord might want you to change?

     Father God, help me to establish the disciplines of life that will honor You.  Help me to walk in careful obedience, not for the purpose of self-justification, but for the protection of Your ministry. Give me strength by Your Spirit to persevere in the face of hardship. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.