2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
Paul moves from the new covenant that brings transformation to how we live out this newness in our daily lives. “This ministry” refers back to our ability as believers to come into God’s presence through Christ, be transformed, and go out into the world with our faces unveiled so that people can see the reflection of Christ in us. Moses had the ministry of helping the people of Israel come to know the laws of God. We now have the ministry of helping unbelievers come to know the law of Christ, which is the law of love (Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14).
We cannot do this ministry on our own efforts but only through God’s mercy. It is only through the kindness and grace of God that we can experience this transformation. But we must do our part of believing and accepting. We must turn to Christ in order to experience this change.
The result for us in real life is that we do not lose heart. Paul brings up the “we” here especially in regard to his own suffering while following God’s call. The “we” here is inclusive of his companions and all who put their trust in Christ. Living out our faith in this day and date may cause us to lose heart, to feel defeated, or discouraged. We may question whether the suffering is worth it. Like water on rock, we eventually begin to wear out and grow weary. Sometimes it is more like butter on a hot pan and we melt quickly under pressure. Paul will build on this idea through the rest of this chapter as he connects God’s transforming grace in Christ with the challenges of living out our faith.
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