‘Do be do be do’
When Frank Sinatra sang his hit song ‘Strangers in the Night’ in the sixties he finished the song with what were thought to be the meaningless melodic sounds ‘Do be do be do.’ However these two words, ‘Do’ and ‘Be’ are very profound and together sum up what God wants to see in all his people. He wants us both to ‘be’ and to ‘do.’
2 Corinthians 2-3
When Paul wrote his second letter to the troubled church at Corinth, he explained how his own coming to faith in Christ resulted in new priorities in what he was to ‘do’ and ‘be’.
“I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ” 2 Corinthians 2:12 - DO
“. . . and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 - BE
“ . . . we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17 - DO
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 - BE
Paul contrasts the glorious message of the forgiveness of sin and the power to live Christ-like lives with the harsh ethics of teaching the Jewish law which can only bring guilt and condemnation:
“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, . . . will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!” 2 Corinthians 3:7-9
How all Christians need to wake up and recognise that we have all been called to this ministry of sharing Christ.
However living for Christ is not only achieved by what we say and do - it will also be seen in what we are.
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 - BE
Do, Be, Do, Be, Do
This idea that Christians should be both ‘do-ers’ and ‘be-ers’ was going round in my mind when I started to read 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5 and realised that this is just what Paul keeps repeating here.
Do
Paul starts by reminding the Corinthian church that all Christians should be involved in sharing the gospel.
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy, we have this ministry,” 2 Corinthians 4:1 - DO
Be
Paul then brings the ‘doing’ and ‘being’ together. He admits spreading the message about Jesus, is at times hard and disappointing, he will not use underhand methods to achieve good results. Integrity does matter as what we are is the essence of being spiritual.
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyman’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2. - BE
Do
Paul now returns to the need for Christians to evangelise.
“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” 2 Corinthians 4:5. - DO
“Its is written: ‘I beleived; therefore I have spoken.’ With the same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.” 2 Corinthians 4:13- DO
Be
In spite of the urgency of the task, making the gospel message about Jesus widely known, Paul keeps returning to the reassuring foundation of his secure relationship with God:
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith and not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:6. - BE
Do
This need for all Christians to be involved in sharing the faith is then then focus of the rest of chapter 5. Paul gives seven reasons why this is the priority.
“We make it our goal to please him” 5:9
“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” 5:10
“Since we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” 5:11
“For Christ’s love compels us.” 5:14
“He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 5:15
“God . . . gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 5:18
“ . . he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 5:19
Be
After this plea Paul again returns to what our ultimate aim must be:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
What greater ambition can there be but to be in Christ, to become like Christ and to fulfil his wishes.
