Category: Devotions

2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

There were many physical hardships and sufferings to endure for the enemies of the gospel went all out to hurt him and his co-workers. The Apostle Paul and his companions deeply comprehend fact that their Master, our Lord Jesus, was Himself put to death. It was the way their Master went, should not His servants tread it still. The hymn “Go Labour On” written by Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) describes well the heart-throb of the Apostle Paul.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

The Apostle Paul highlights the challenges of ministry work, he also emphasises the victories. It was difficult but God’s grace saw him and his co-workers through each phase of the work. There were much troubling times where they were pressed to the limit and yet these did not break them. Many times, they could not understand why obstacles came their way to discourage their evangelism efforts. When the Jews in the synagogues in Corinth rejected the gospel, God saved Crispus whose house was beside the synagogue. Crispus believed on the Lord with all his house and many of the Corinthians believed, and were baptised.

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

The Apostle Paul revealed the inner well-being of his heart as a servant of the Lord. He has experienced the Lord’s strength and comfort. He was not in despair despite the trouble and perplexing state of his environment and predicament serving the Lord. He speaks of the troubles that seemed to come from every angle possibly contrived. It may be mind-boggling to him, he felt perplexed yet he will not let his heart to sink into discouragement. He encouraged himself in the Lord.

When Job was plagued with grievous calamities in consecutive succession, it was perplexing. A mysterious evil has befallen him. He was helpless in his predicament to escape the damages that he has to bear. It seemed at once unbearable and yet he was not in despair. His life was grounded in God’s care for him.

The word “treasure” means “storehouse”. The believer is a most valued storehouse for the glorious message of the gospel. The Holy Spirit will use the human instrument for the proclamation of the gospel to the salvation and edification of souls. The hymn, “We’ve a Story to Tell” described well the excellency of the power of God flowing through a surrendered vessel in the proclamation of the gospel.

We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.
Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.

The Apostle Paul and his co-workers understood well the Lordship of Christ in their lives. The distinction of this Master-servant is very clear to them. Recall he was struck blind by Jesus. He understood well his place in God’s economy. He understood the motions of pride as Scripture recorded of Lucifer, the archangel’s fall.

Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! howart thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor. 4:3-4 KJV)

The Apostle Paul and his co-workers have not failed to declare the glorious gospel. It is his prayer that the light of the glorious gospel, as a bright noonday sun that shone on that blessed day in his life on the way to Damascus, that restored the image of God in him, may so shine to others. Given to understand the truth, gloriously saved en route to heaven, he felt the burden that others may also be saved.

The Apostle Paul reasoned with the believers in Corinth that he persevered in the ministry because God put him there by His mercy. He was saved from blindness and given a new lease of life for service. He repaid his gospel debt through faithful service. There is an effervescing strength that God grants to his servants that they will not give up but press on in devotion and service.

2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Cor. 4:1-2 KJV)

The Apostle Paul praised the sustaining grace of God in the work of the ministry. He attributed it to the mercy of God. He deserved God’s condemnation and yet God did not count his sins to his account. He was mercifully forgiven. He recalled how he was a blasphemer. He was struck blind and could have remained blind. God sent Ananias to restore his sight. And given him eternal life, divine grace and power for service. Since then, he experienced the forgiveness of sins and the presence of God to bless and keep him. He was able to testify how he and his co-workers faint not because they have committed their lives to God’s care.

This is our privilege as God’s children, we faint not because God is our ready helper. The psalmist testified of his confidence in Psalm 16. He did not wander off from God’s commandments but was obedient to the truth.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle. It was to be the visible physical presence of God with His people. In the Holy of Holies, was the ark of the covenant. It was to be the throne of God where He would meet with His people. When Israel entered the Promised Land, they would be instructed through Solomon to build the Temple of God. The nation of Israel is God’s chosen people and this nation is to point the nations of the world to the reality of salvation is her Christ. In the fullness of time, the Saviour named Jesus, Who is the Christ entered human history through a virgin birth in the womb of Mary, the humble handmaid of Nazareth. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Tabernacle and the Temple reality of God’s presence. Jesus will be the sacrifice for sins upon the cross so that sinful man may draw nigh to a Thrice Holy God.

2 Corinthians 3:17 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor. 3:17 KJV)

In Romans 8:1-2, the Apostle Paul explained well our text, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1-2 KJV) The child of God who is led by the Holy Spirit through the meditation of God’s Word is given the wisdom to choose God’s blessed path. Do you pray when you are meditating upon God’s Word to ask for illumination so that you may understand His Word? This is how we can get into the mind of God when we are shown the blessed will of God through His Spirit, we will choose to obey.