Tag: Devotion

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

The Apostle Paul rehearsed the goodness of God toward the church in Corinth. The gospel was sent through the gospel team amidst persecution to effect an eternal transformation in their lives translating them from the misery and sorrow sin, death and hellfire to the happy prospect of holiness, healing and heaven. The abundant favour of God has been showered, grace upon grace, day by day, moment by moment. He urged the Corinthian Christians to count their blessings. Give thanks to God alway.

2 Corinthians 4:13-14 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

Because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God, therefore, we who are in Christ Jesus, have the same hope that we shall be raised up from the dead victorious. This is our comfort and consolation. The Apostle Paul gave these words to comfort the believers in Thessalonica lose their loved ones – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

The Apostle Paul shares that he was not deterred to carry on the work because of the many troubles, distresses and perplexities, persecutions that have befallen him. As a weak, often frail human vessel, the work of the gospel seemed an impossibility. Yet God has given him faith to believe in the Word of God to believe His forever written Word, its promises, purpose and power. Referencing to Psalm 116:10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

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.