Tag: Devotion

2 Corinthians 4:11-12 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

The Apostle Paul says likewise in Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. His life is given over to God and he sought to die daily to self-will and to live daily in Christ’s will. In so doing, his life and that of his gospel team-mates became a blessing to the church at Corinth. He sought for their spiritual welfare and advancement. He was willing to suffer, even persecution, physical pain and torment at the hands of those unfriendly to the progress of God’s kingdom.

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

What is the life of Jesus? It is the resurrection life. The life that enables us by the power of God to overcome sin and even death. It is a determined life to say as Esther before she would intrude into the presence of the Persian King without consent to plead for her people on a death sentence, “If I perish, I perish.” She did not regard her life dear unto herself, but was willing to sacrifice it for the well-being of her people, the scattered Israelites in the Persian kingdom. It was the same strength of character as when Judah said to Joseph in Egypt, take me as your servant, I will serve you forever, but let Benjamin go home to my father.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 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; 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.

If the Apostle Paul and his team would have given up when they were troubled on every side, give up when they were perplexed and throw in the towel when persecuted and cast down, there would not be a thriving in Corinth at the time of his writing. He understood his mission. It was to fulfil His Lord’s Great Commission entrusted to him with assurance of success.

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.