Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the basis of Paul’s perspective for perseverance in 2 Corinthians 4:10–15. He shares three things to help us have this perspective.
First, there is the help of an inward renewal.
Second Corinthians 4:16 reads, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
When you believe the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin, you receive eternal life.
F.B. Meyer explains, “The best preventative of pride is to recognize all blessings as coming from the marvelous help of God.”
Second, there is the hope of an inspiring reward.
Second Corinthians 4:17 reads, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
This hope is a confident expectation of a favorable outcome. While we are to live in the moment, we are not to live for the moment.
Third, there is an invisible reality.
Second Corinthians 4:18 reads, “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
In the words of Isaac Watts, known as the father of English hymnody, “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!”
Franklin L. Kirksey
Robertsdale, Ala.
“Only by the work of the Holy Spirit do we truly understand the reality of sin. Only by the work of the Holy Spirit do we clearly perceive what righteousness demands of us,” said Roy E. Ciampa, Armstrong Chair of Religion, Samford University.
“One of the strongest things we can do for one another is just encourage each other not to tap out, not to quit, not to give up,” said Mark Clifton, senior director of replanting at the North American Mission Board.
“It’s been an outlet, it’s been a way to put to paper just the good, the bad, the ugly, but also the hope,” said singer, songwriter and worship leader Katy Weirich on her latest release, “Out of the Blue.”
Believers in Ukraine are prayerful that God will use the war to bring more people to “a saving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,” said Igor Bandura, vice president of the Ukrainian Baptist Union. “Without this bigger reason, all the sufferings are senseless and useless. This is why we continue to serve and pray.”
“We may think we are good neighbors if we know the names and occupations of those sharing a street with us, or even better, if we give them a gift at Christmas. As Christians we can and should represent Christ better than that,” said Bobby McKay, pastor, author and high school football chaplain in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
“Your faith gets challenged every day in some capacity. When you compete in a sport at my level, it’s going to get challenged a lot more. I’m keeping a positive mentality because I know I’m chasing something greater than myself,” said U.S. sumo wrestler Andrew “Stonewall” Roden, who competed this summer in the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
Provide yourselves with treasure that does not fail. Treasure Christ, put your heart there. Repent and believe these wonderful promises of God, following after Him.
James Hammack
the-scroll.com
“Whether or not we know it, there are survivors of abuse in your life. You may even be a survivor yourself who’s healing and wanting to offer healing to others,” said Rebecca Henderson, a licensed clinical social worker and rape response coordinator for the Birmingham Crisis Center.
“We are desperate for people to come here and pray,” said a missionary in western Europe. “God working here is tied with prayer.”
“You Will Never Make the impact God intends if you don’t at first place a cross on your back and a servant’s towel in your hand.”
Kevin Blackwell, Ministry Training Institute, Samford University
FROM THE TWITTERVERSE
@claytoncloer
Change the conversation today. We need revival, and it will not come through an election, vilifying one another or a resolution. May God move in the hearts of people.
@DianeLangberg
Suffering & faith are difficult to hold together. Evil always wants to destroy faith. It wants to swallow up hope. It says, “Look at the destruction I have brought; there is no good; there is no hope of good.” Faith is about believing in things we hope for that are not here yet.
@BillyGraham
“The home only fulfills its true purpose when it is God-controlled. Leave Jesus Christ out of your home and it loses its meaning. But take Christ into your heart and the life of [your] family, and He will transform your home.”
@andrewhebert86
Pastor, don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of your ministry.
Any number of people can pastor the church you serve. But your wife has one husband, your kids have one dad, and you have one shot to be the husband and dad God called you to be.
@DanielDickard
How Christians compromise:
—Remove doctrine our world finds offensive to make Christianity more welcoming.
—Add half truths to our message to make Christianity more acceptable.
—Fail to confront sin to make Christianity less judgmental.
—Embrace sin to make Christianity more relevant (to the world).
@keahbone
The “church” is taking a beating these days. The believer’s response should be brokenness and repentance. Doing our part to purify the Bride. It is popular to kick her while she is down. When the Lord returns for her, let us be found fighting for her, not kicking her.
@trillianewbell
Guard against elevating personal preference or even conviction to the same level as the word of God.
