The Way - Day 082 (2 Corinthians 4)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
2 Corinthians 4
The forgiveness of God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, provides victory for those who believe, but trials are still present in this life.  Although Jesus defeated sin (2:14) and the Spirit begins the transformation process in our lives (3:18), Paul knew that believers might become discouraged by hardships so he wrote that they should never give up (4:1).  The message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ was an important message which should not be abandoned because of trials or persecution.  Paul was currently facing persecution from the false teachers, who were accusing him of deceiving people and teaching an erroneous message, but Paul vehemently defended his ministry.  It was the false teachers whose minds were corrupt and whose hearts were darkened (4:2-4).  Paul preached Jesus Christ as Lord and presented Him as the One who brought light to us all (4:6).

In order to endure persecution, Paul drew his strength from the power of God and all who believe in Jesus Christ will also need God’s power to endure hardship (4:7).  Paul writes a few words of encouragement concerning persecution and endurance, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies” (4:8-10, NLT).  Weakness is an opportunity for God to show His great power.  Even though Paul risked his life through preaching the gospel, he was confident that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead would also raise him up one day (4:11-15).  Paul then explained that he does not lose heart in the midst of persecution (4:16).  Although his body was wasting away with each passing day, the inner man was being renewed each day (4:16).  This renewal provided hope in the future and deterred him from giving up on the ministry which had been given to him by God (4:17-18).

Dear God, I need Your strength in the middle of my trials so that I might never give up and carry on the ministry to which You’ve called me.