“We are hard
pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — always carrying
about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may
be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for
Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-12
NKJ)
pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — always carrying
about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may
be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for
Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-12
NKJ)
Living our faith
before others can rightly be understood as a burden. Exercising our commitment
to Christ is, in many ways, a heavy burden. Yet, a disciple of Christ refuses
to give up and quit (2 Cor. 4:1). Our dilemma doesn’t deal with our faith in
Christ. We know in whom we have believed and are certain of his power and care.
Yet, our motives are sometime misunderstood; and it becomes necessary to defend
them (vss. 2-4). Christ is always the focus and priority of his disciples. The
disciple is always the servant of Christ (v.5). It is God who enlightens the
disciple with knowledge (v.6). The disciple is empowered with God’s power and
not by his own (v7). Our personal burden of discipleship is from the Lord, so
we refuse to be deterred (vss. 8-9).
before others can rightly be understood as a burden. Exercising our commitment
to Christ is, in many ways, a heavy burden. Yet, a disciple of Christ refuses
to give up and quit (2 Cor. 4:1). Our dilemma doesn’t deal with our faith in
Christ. We know in whom we have believed and are certain of his power and care.
Yet, our motives are sometime misunderstood; and it becomes necessary to defend
them (vss. 2-4). Christ is always the focus and priority of his disciples. The
disciple is always the servant of Christ (v.5). It is God who enlightens the
disciple with knowledge (v.6). The disciple is empowered with God’s power and
not by his own (v7). Our personal burden of discipleship is from the Lord, so
we refuse to be deterred (vss. 8-9).
Unlike Paul, our
discipleship and ministry may not be a daily risk of life; but if we are
faithful, then “the death of Jesus” – that personal sacrifice for the sake of
others – clothes our body. Paul’s meaning here must go beyond the salvation
from the death of Christ. Yes, that must be the foundation garment of the
disciple’s clothing, but there is something deeper here.
discipleship and ministry may not be a daily risk of life; but if we are
faithful, then “the death of Jesus” – that personal sacrifice for the sake of
others – clothes our body. Paul’s meaning here must go beyond the salvation
from the death of Christ. Yes, that must be the foundation garment of the
disciple’s clothing, but there is something deeper here.
Consider that the
death of Jesus did not occur at Calvary. Yes, his body was yielded up to death
at Calvary and it was authentic death. But Jesus died in the Garden of
Gethsemane when he said, “not my will but thine be done.” Indeed, we may
conclude that His “death” was actually realized in the courts of heaven when he
said, “I’ll go.” So then, those who are dead with Christ (2 Tim. 2:11) are not
only alive in Him but also exemplify the “life of Christ” in their living body
(2 Cor. 4:10).
death of Jesus did not occur at Calvary. Yes, his body was yielded up to death
at Calvary and it was authentic death. But Jesus died in the Garden of
Gethsemane when he said, “not my will but thine be done.” Indeed, we may
conclude that His “death” was actually realized in the courts of heaven when he
said, “I’ll go.” So then, those who are dead with Christ (2 Tim. 2:11) are not
only alive in Him but also exemplify the “life of Christ” in their living body
(2 Cor. 4:10).
We do not want to be
relieved from this burden because we understand what it means to us and to
those around us. We exercise our ministry on behalf of Jesus for the benefit of
those to whom we minister (vss.11-12). So it isn’t a burden at all, but a joy of
service
relieved from this burden because we understand what it means to us and to
those around us. We exercise our ministry on behalf of Jesus for the benefit of
those to whom we minister (vss.11-12). So it isn’t a burden at all, but a joy of
service
Dear Father, thank
you for this opportunity to serve you. Empower us to have the proper
perspective and bring glory to Christ as we serve joyfully. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
you for this opportunity to serve you. Empower us to have the proper
perspective and bring glory to Christ as we serve joyfully. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Serve Christ
joyfully today,
joyfully today,