Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 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 everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith,we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Wow do these words hit home as I reflect back on a conversation Doc and I had yesterday. We were talking about how much "junk" has happened this past year. There have been so many relationships crumble, so many deaths, so many people who have gone through some pretty tough health issues. Some of the ones involved in these situations have came out stronger in their faith. Unfortunately, some have fallen away from the Lord.
These verses give us the key on how we, as believers, should live. Matthew Henry writes about the first seven verses:
Sincerity or uprightness will keep the favourable opinion of wise and good men. Christ by his gospel makes a glorious discovery to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is, to keep men in ignorance; and when he cannot keep the light of the gospel of Christ out of the world, he spares no pains to keep men from the gospel, or to set them against it. The rejection of the gospel is here traced to the wilful blindness and wickedness of the human heart. Self was not the matter or the end of the apostles' preaching; they preached Christ as Jesus, the Saviour and Deliverer, who saves to the uttermost all that come to God through him.
It is important for us to not only have the knowledge of the Gospel but to live the Gospel out in our daily lives. We must stay in His word in order to not allow the enemy a foothold in our lives. We also need to stay in communion with other believers. Going to church doesn't make you a believer but it sure helps to strengthen your faith. It also helps to be accountable.
There have been so many situations where "self" is what has caused relationships to crumble. A spouse will start feeling unloved or unappreciated and start feeling sorry for themselves. Many times it leads to a break-up of the relationship. Then the enemy has won. If only people would realize the importance of verses eight through ten of these passage. Yes, we will have problems. Yes, we will have issues with others. But that doesn't mean we have to give up on those relationships. Matthew Henry writes:
Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In comparison with them, other Christians were, even at that time, in prosperous circumstances.
When we are going through tough times, we need to press into the Lord more than ever. We need to allow Him to empower us to be strong and to fight for what is right. Divorce is not right. Stealing is not right. Addiction is not right. What is right is seeking the Lord with our whole being and listening to His direction.
Matthew Henry writes about the last five verses…
The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrection will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God's glory. The prospect of eternal life and happiness was their support and comfort. What sense was ready to pronounce heavy and long, grievous and tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a moment. The weight of all temporal afflictions was lightness itself, while the glory to come was a substance, weighty, and lasting beyond description. If the apostle could call his heavy and long-continued trials light, and but for a moment, what must our trifling difficulties be! Faith enables to make this right judgment of things. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. And there is this vast difference between them; unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then look off from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages, or to fear present distresses. Let us give diligence to make our future happiness sure.
I've been told this week, "You don't understand. You aren't in my shoes." To that I agreed to a certain point. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors but I do know the Lord is always there for us to get through whatever we are going through. Unfortunately, I do understand some things I wished I didn't. But it is only because I wasn't listening to the Lord at that point in my life. It was more important for me to please self than to please God. I'm thankful the Lord has forgiven me and helped me get through the period of my life where I felt so ashamed. I know I am His child…He loves me…He is there for me…I am of great worth to Him. Woo hoo! Yes, I allowed the enemy to have his way many years ago but praise God he is no longer on the throne in my life.
Dear Jesus,
My heart breaks for so many people. Some are dealing with health issues out of their control. Some children/teens are dealing with the effects from the stupid decisions their parents are making. I pray for them, Lord, to seek You in a mighty way. I pray they will not be crushed by the enemy. Please put people before them who will make a difference in their lives. Father, I also pray for the marriages that are crumbling. Lord, open up eyes. When people join together in marriage, they take the vows of "…for better or for worse…" Why don't people adhere to those vows? Why do people get so caught up in themselves that they lose sight of the other person? Lord, I pray for wisdom on how to deal with situations that seem like they are already too far gone. I pray for Your words and Your actions to flow from me. I know the only way that will be accomplished is for me to have more of You and less of me. Lord, I am an "Overcomer" and I pray for more people to be able to say the same thing. I pray for miracles to happen in the marriages that are so close to ending. I pray for miracles to happen in the situation with the daddy in jail and the children hurting so badly. I pray for miracles to happen in health situations that are lessening people's faith. I praise You, Lord, for the miracle in Sarah's life this week. I prayed You would be glorified through her situation and You are. Thank You Jesus for being My Renewal! Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment