Day By Day - 2 Corinthians 4
By John Horsburgh
Opening Thoughts:
Paul’s second letter, 2 Corinthians, has a different feel than his first letter to this church. In this chapter, there is so much light and encouragement that it tends to lift the spirit. There are still those bits that could be seen as being a bit scary but overall the theme is about overcoming obstacles that we encounter. A timely thought, as we face the discouragement that has abounded in 2020.
Paul faced torture and death on a regular basis and, so far this year, we have been pounded by natural disaster, pandemic and recession. All things that demand our focus, but after dwelling on Paul’s words in this chapter, I get a sense that his advice to us would be along the lines of, “chin up, look past the troubles of this world because your future with Christ is assured and it shines like the midday sun.”
Three Main Ideas:
1. Trickery not required
For once, I have stepped away from the ‘King Jimmy’ and have been reading this in the Holy Spirit Encounter Bible. I am greatly encouraged by the manner in which it renders vs 2, “We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone and we do not distort the Word of God.”
Over my lifetime, I have seen too many times when the Word was corrupted because people didn’t trust the message of Jesus to be sufficient to win the hearts of men to the love of God. When I was a young man, preaching as I travelled and played with a Christian band, I clearly remember one night when I stood before a small crowd of young people who were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Groups of boys and girls were pairing up for the night. In this atmosphere, I clearly heard the heart of God giving me a word that was harsh. Basically it was, ”repent or else”. I was so uncomfortable with this message that I stood before them that night and told them of Jesus’ love and how God longed to bring them to His heart. The whole time I spoke not a word broke through their focus on the limited pleasure they were seeking. That night haunted me for many years as I wondered about the young life God was trying to reach that night, the person/s I failed to reach because I knew better than God.
We don’t need tricks or special effects to reach those whom God has chosen. We just need to speak the truth and let the seed fall where God knows. We also need to identify those who are gifted in speaking to the sceptics and the pagans, and then pray for and support them as we set them loose in our community to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers.
2. Earthen vessels
It is not our ability that impresses God. After all, it is He who planted that ability within us and He put it there on purpose, for a purpose. When we can fully embrace and recognise the truth that we are “perishable containers” made to house an “eternal treasure”, and that the glorious power is God’s and not our own, then we can relax and allow the heart of God to move through us.
Too many times we want to have the miraculous happen TO us and we fail to allow it to happen THROUGH us. We each need to find the precious gift that God has placed in our earthen vessel and then use it to bless others, both inside and outside the church. We may face hardship and difficulty, ridicule and discouragement but Paul’s attitude is one we need to appropriate as our own,... “I get knocked down but I get up again – and keep going...”.
3. Never give up, never surrender
The catch cry from a starship captain in a sci-fi movie, “never give up, never surrender”. However, it carries far more weight the way Paul uses it. It has a reason and a purpose, “that is why we never give up, though our bodies are dying our spirits are being renewed every day”.
I don’t know what the next few months hold for us. I look at the geopolitical situations around the world and none of us can avoid the constant stream of news about the stranglehold of this virus nor the violent reactions as disadvantaged communities rise up in frustration and anger.
The one thing that I am sure of is that Christ knows the heart of man, including those who seek political power for their own gain. He knows the horrible stats and effects of COVID-19. He loves and cares for ALL people without reference to their colour or race. He loves us all, black, white or brindle. And I know that whatever lies ahead, He is ready to receive us to His heart but not just us, we need to keep on sharing regardless of the season for the “troubles we see right now will give way to the joy that is to come.”
Closing Thoughts:
This is a chapter that juxtaposes the material and the spiritual and it is made by a man who clearly saw beyond the selfish pursuit of pleasure and comfort. Paul’s meeting with the risen Jesus on the Damascus road remained as a constant reality check and he was not just a casual believer but one who lived out his absolute certainty of the promises of God.
Paul’s assuredness is an encouragement for us in our time. So whether we see these as dark days or exciting times, let us take hold of Christ and live each day as an opportunity to love and serve our Lord and Saviour.
Opening Thoughts:
Paul’s second letter, 2 Corinthians, has a different feel than his first letter to this church. In this chapter, there is so much light and encouragement that it tends to lift the spirit. There are still those bits that could be seen as being a bit scary but overall the theme is about overcoming obstacles that we encounter. A timely thought, as we face the discouragement that has abounded in 2020.
Paul faced torture and death on a regular basis and, so far this year, we have been pounded by natural disaster, pandemic and recession. All things that demand our focus, but after dwelling on Paul’s words in this chapter, I get a sense that his advice to us would be along the lines of, “chin up, look past the troubles of this world because your future with Christ is assured and it shines like the midday sun.”
Three Main Ideas:
1. Trickery not required
For once, I have stepped away from the ‘King Jimmy’ and have been reading this in the Holy Spirit Encounter Bible. I am greatly encouraged by the manner in which it renders vs 2, “We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone and we do not distort the Word of God.”
Over my lifetime, I have seen too many times when the Word was corrupted because people didn’t trust the message of Jesus to be sufficient to win the hearts of men to the love of God. When I was a young man, preaching as I travelled and played with a Christian band, I clearly remember one night when I stood before a small crowd of young people who were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Groups of boys and girls were pairing up for the night. In this atmosphere, I clearly heard the heart of God giving me a word that was harsh. Basically it was, ”repent or else”. I was so uncomfortable with this message that I stood before them that night and told them of Jesus’ love and how God longed to bring them to His heart. The whole time I spoke not a word broke through their focus on the limited pleasure they were seeking. That night haunted me for many years as I wondered about the young life God was trying to reach that night, the person/s I failed to reach because I knew better than God.
We don’t need tricks or special effects to reach those whom God has chosen. We just need to speak the truth and let the seed fall where God knows. We also need to identify those who are gifted in speaking to the sceptics and the pagans, and then pray for and support them as we set them loose in our community to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers.
2. Earthen vessels
It is not our ability that impresses God. After all, it is He who planted that ability within us and He put it there on purpose, for a purpose. When we can fully embrace and recognise the truth that we are “perishable containers” made to house an “eternal treasure”, and that the glorious power is God’s and not our own, then we can relax and allow the heart of God to move through us.
Too many times we want to have the miraculous happen TO us and we fail to allow it to happen THROUGH us. We each need to find the precious gift that God has placed in our earthen vessel and then use it to bless others, both inside and outside the church. We may face hardship and difficulty, ridicule and discouragement but Paul’s attitude is one we need to appropriate as our own,... “I get knocked down but I get up again – and keep going...”.
3. Never give up, never surrender
The catch cry from a starship captain in a sci-fi movie, “never give up, never surrender”. However, it carries far more weight the way Paul uses it. It has a reason and a purpose, “that is why we never give up, though our bodies are dying our spirits are being renewed every day”.
I don’t know what the next few months hold for us. I look at the geopolitical situations around the world and none of us can avoid the constant stream of news about the stranglehold of this virus nor the violent reactions as disadvantaged communities rise up in frustration and anger.
The one thing that I am sure of is that Christ knows the heart of man, including those who seek political power for their own gain. He knows the horrible stats and effects of COVID-19. He loves and cares for ALL people without reference to their colour or race. He loves us all, black, white or brindle. And I know that whatever lies ahead, He is ready to receive us to His heart but not just us, we need to keep on sharing regardless of the season for the “troubles we see right now will give way to the joy that is to come.”
Closing Thoughts:
This is a chapter that juxtaposes the material and the spiritual and it is made by a man who clearly saw beyond the selfish pursuit of pleasure and comfort. Paul’s meeting with the risen Jesus on the Damascus road remained as a constant reality check and he was not just a casual believer but one who lived out his absolute certainty of the promises of God.
Paul’s assuredness is an encouragement for us in our time. So whether we see these as dark days or exciting times, let us take hold of Christ and live each day as an opportunity to love and serve our Lord and Saviour.
Posted in 2 Corinthians