The Guarantee

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE GUARANTEE 

 2 Cor 5:1-5

5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

NIV

There are several thoughts concerning this idea of the earthy tent we live in and that it will be destroyed by death. Again, as Paul has continually pointed to this idea of the outer man and the inner man, we are not this body but a soul who dwells in this temporary tent that someday we will be freed from through the death of the body. As far as what Paul refers to as an eternal house in heaven is a little difficult to understand his meaning. We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We also know there is a resurrection of the body at some time in the future. So, while we lay to rest this temporary tent and leave it we, our soul, travels into the presence of our Lord. As to what that looks like exactly is not clear. However, while we are dwelling in this tent, we groan and are burdened. That is our bodies are subject to the aches and pains, infirmities, and simple the aging process and all that happens to us. But we know this is just temporary and we do not live for the body, but the body is for us to live until we receive our heavenly dwelling. What happens to those who are not going to receive their heavenly dwelling is too harsh to comprehend fully, but we know that whatever perish means, that will be their fate, for they shall remain unclothed. We will not have to worry about being found naked, for this mortal may be clothed with immortality in our heavenly dwelling. Although this body dies, we will live. We know this is true as we have been given the Spirit, and we sense the Spirit within, dwelling within, giving us that hope, that confidence of what is to come. He is, in fact, a guarantee from God as to what is to become of us as we leave this body. The kind of celestial being we will be until the resurrection of our bodies has not been described for us, but we know it will be wonderful and glorious as we will be in the presence of our Lord and God. However, we also know that someday we will live in the new city of Jerusalem on a new earth in a physically resurrected form living in that place that Jesus has prepared for us. But, for now, we live in this temporary dwelling yearning to be in our eternal home with our Lord. This is our guarantee. 

The Temporary and The Eternal

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE TEMPORARY AND THE ETERNAL

 2 Cor 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

NIV

Everything Paul has been saying comes to this point, this statement. There is no question this body of ours is wasting away. It is getting older by the moment and is getting all the aches and pains that accompany age. It no longer looks young. The years have taken a toll on it. Wasting away fits the description well. Although through the marvels of medicine our eyes have not been dimmed, although some people even medicine cannot help them with sight. Age has weakened our muscles somewhat. On and on we can enumerate the problems with our outward self, but there is this inward self and is the one who in the grand scheme of things is who we are. Each day we are renewed. Every morning is a new day, and we are in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This should mean that we should see some change within us, some transformation, even if it is a very small amount. The Greek word translated as renewed is a form of the word that means to be renovated. This is why we see this renewing as transforming because just as if we were in a constant state of renovating our home, making changes, updating it on a day-by-day basis, this is how our inner self is being renovated, renewed, transformed. Updated from what it once was to what it is today and tomorrow it will be renovated some more, and each day after that. So then, no matter what is going on with our outward man, our inward man is better than it has ever been and that outweighs all the afflictions that affect the outward self. Therefore, we do not pay attention to what we see in the mirror, for that is the seen and temporary. But we fix our eyes in our inward self, the unseen, and what is eternal. This is the same as the world we live in that is seen and temporary, but we fix our eyes on Jesus who at this moment is unseen and eternal, except, of course, seen in us as we reflect Him to the world. Nevertheless, it is all about the seen and the unseen, the temporary and the eternal. 

Overflowing Glory

 

DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

OVERFLOWING GLORY

2 Cor 4:13-15

13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

NIV

Paul is quoting the words of the psalmist in his 116^th song. Although the circumstances are many years apart, they are somewhat the same. The psalmist was in distress and so has been Paul. The truth of this can apply to our lives at times. Although in general, we are not in distress in the manner of the psalmist nor Paul. The idea is that because we believe we have the confidence to speak to God and to pray when we have a situation that is beyond our ability to cope with, which is most of life. The problem comes when we think that we can handle everything that comes our way and that we can fix it, we can solve the problem. When we think that we are strong, we are in deep trouble. Yes, God has given us a mind and with it, we can learn many things. But the greatest thing we can learn is that we can rely on God. What is the sense in believing if we live our life in accordance with our own abilities, knowledge, or strength? Do we just believe so that we can escape death? Is salvation the only thing we believe in God for? Paul does make that point in some sense when he says, that because he knows that God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, that he will also raise us with Jesus and present us in his presence. That is a great reason to believe, and of our belief, we may share this great story, this gospel message so that more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. That is what we should be doing as well, living in such a manner, living with thanksgiving not just in our quite times alone, but living life out loud, thanking God for everything in our lives, all the time so that our life overflows with thanksgiving, bringing all the glory to God. This goes right along with not working for the praise of men, but for the praise of God, except that we need it insist that when we are praised, which happens, as it seems the normal thing most people do, we transfer that praise to God. This is more than believing to be saved but speaking because we believe. Speaking to God about everything and giving God all the credit for everything in our lives. When God’s grace, His divine influence upon our hearts, is reflected in our lives, it causes us to overflow with the glory of God. How can we remain silent when we have the Spirit of God dwelling within and giving us the confidence to speak of His glory? 

Jars of Clay

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

JARS OF CLAY

2 Cor 4:7-12

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

NIV

First, we need to see that jars of clay are more actually translated as earthen vessels. The idea is the same in that a jar of clay would be some form of pottery. This gives us the idea of the frailty of our bodies and how they are easily broken. Of course, there are also some differences with earthen vessels in that they can be plain unfired clay or that which has been fired in a kiln. The unfired clay is easily reshaped if it begins to decay its shape. However, the fired clay if broken would remain in pieces unless it could be glued, but then it would never be the same. What all this reminds us of is that we are the clay and God is the potter who forms us into the vessel of his choice. The purpose of being an earthen vessel formed by God is for His purpose of putting His gospel within us. It is the treasure that God has put within this frail shell He formed from clay and breathed His breath of life within. Paul also makes the point that although we may face all sorts of adversities and that we live in a mortal form that carries death within it, as Jesus died while in the flesh, we also carry life. The treasure of the gospel, the treasure of life through Jesus Christ can be revealed in our bodies. The point that we are a frail earthen vessel also means that we have not strength, no abilities, no greatness within ourselves. We are but the vessel and a clay one at that, nothing special to look at, we have no beauty or special ornamentation, but just a common clay vessel, so that the treasure is the greatness that we have within us. Our common appearance is so that the glory of Christ may be seen in us. At the wedding in Cana when the bridegroom was out of wine, and Jesus had the servants fill jars of clay with water, just simple common jars of clay, nothing special about them for they were used to carry water, and he turned that water into the best wine of all. It was in some sense the treasure of the feast yet served from jars of common clay. This is our story, being common jars of clay, we carry the treasure of God within us, Jesus Christ, and the purpose is to be used to serve this treasure to all, so Jesus is revealed in us. 

The Light Shines

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE LIGHT SHINES

2 Cor 4:1-6

4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

NIV

Now we know because of the mercy of God we will not lose heart regarding the ministry we have been called. The question we see here is what Paul meant about renouncing secret and shameful ways. Is that the deception or distortion of the word of God? Because this was the city of Corinth and it was mainly Gentiles and thus the city would have been filled with pagan gods, and the witchcraft, the dark arts, that use deception on the masses, that use the dark arts to trick people into various forms of false religion, this could be what Paul is referring to. Instead of using trickery, or some form of falsehoods, Paul says that he set forth the truth plainly. Paul says that he commends himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. Every person has a conscience, and it is that which is within us all that gives us the knowledge of what is right and wrong. Everyone knows deep within the truth, having the knowledge of God within them. All mankind, every person is a creation of God and loved by God. Whether people know it or not, He has put the knowledge of himself into all men. Some certain suppress the truth by their evil deeds, but their conscience still tells them which is good and true and which is evil and false. Everyone knows the truth when they hear it and it is our calling as believers in Christ to always tell the truth of the gospel. We need to speak it out plainly and boldly without veiling it in any secret formula. However, we do have to recognize the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Just as it happened in Corinth, it is still happening today. It is sad to watch such blindness. They know deep within the truth, but they have been blinded to it by all gods of this age. We do not know who the god of that age was, but we can clearly see the god of this age. So many have been deceived in so many ways, and it has been happening throughout the ages, but it seems to have gain strength more recently. We should not stand by and just watch, but even though we proclaim the truth, they are blind to it or refuse to open their eyes. We could become discouraged, but then again, we will not lose heart. All we can do is let our light shine in the darkness. Jesus said that we are now the light of the world, that we should not put our light under a bushel or hide it, or keep it just for ourselves, but to put it on a lampstand, so the whole house, the whole world may see our light, the light of Christ within us. The truth may make some unbelievers feel uncomfortable in its presence and what us to keep the light to ourselves, or hide it when we are with them, but we cannot, for the light simple shines, especially in the presence of darkness. 

Do Not Lose Heart

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

DO NOT LOSE HEART

2 Cor 4:1-6

4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

NIV

There is so much here, but we dare not just take one portion because we might lose the context of the whole. Yet, we may camp out here in the whole for a few days to explore various truths. The first we want to deal with is the idea of losing heart. Whatever God has called us to we should not or rather we will not lose heart. Life can bring many challenges and some of them are filled with opportunities to lose heart. This Greek word that is translated as "lose heart" means to be afraid, to become discouraged, to become weary or tired, to despair or to tire of. All that fits within the idea of losing heart. We might start to become discouraged if we do not see any results of our ministry. Sometimes we think our blog is not profitable and if people are traveling alone with us on this journey. We could start to become weary the older we get, getting tired of doing that which we have been doing for years and years. So many speak of retirement, even those with full-time paid positions within the church. But is retiring a form of losing heart, losing the love of serving God and men? How can we retire, or give in to some set age when we are to be put out to pasture, let to wander around doing little or nothing at all? But still, there are thoughts of whether we have any benefit to the kingdom of God. Are we being effective in our service to God? We simply cannot allow anything to cause us to lose heart. God has always directed our path, and He is the one who started this work in us and He is the one who will bring it to completion. Therefore, why would we think we would get tired of doing that which we have been doing. If God is doing the work within us, then He also gives us the strength and courage to keep on keeping on, until the day He brings us home. God has never retired, or tired of doing what He does. We do wonder, at times, if God has changed his call upon us, and desires for us to do something else. The point is still the same, He has not called us to retirement or tired and weary. Jesus said that if we are weary and heavy burdened, not just with life, but with our ministry, that we are to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, that He is gentle and humble in heart and we will find rest for our soul, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When we partner up, pair up with Jesus, as the yoke implies then we are assured of never losing heart all the days of our lives, for again, He said that he would never leave us, never forsake us and thus we are yoked for life. 

Transformation means change

 DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

TRANSFORMING MEANS CHANGE

2 Cor 3:12-18

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

NIV

Again, Paul drives the point home regarding the difference between the old and the new covenant. This is very close to what the veil in the temple represented. It kept the people separated from the shekinah glory of God. When Moses met with God it caused his face to shine, to reflect this glory of God, but he had to put a veil over his face so the people would not be harmed by God’s glory. The old covenant still has the veil and although we read it to this day the veil must still be in place. The old covenant does not give us life. It is interesting to read and there is a whole lot of history of mankind and their relationship with God, but it does not give us life. There is much truth within the scriptures in the Old Testament, including all the laws, the old covenant God made with his people, but none of it gives us life. There are volumes of beautiful Psalms with wonderful words about God and make great reading, but they do not give us life. Nothing within the old gives us life, and that is why we need Jesus. He has removed the veil, just as the veil was torn in the temple when Jesus died on that cross. He brought us life. We do not live in the old for the old has passed away and all things have become new. We live in the new creation and without veils so that we not only reflect the shekinah glory of God, but His glory dwells within us so we can reflect it. We are being, we are in the continual process of transformation into his likeness, and God’s glory is ever-increasing within us. This has to mean that we are not the same today as we were yesterday because His glory is ever-increasing as we are being transformed. Once the transformation begins it cannot be stopped. Although at times we might think that we are stuck in a rut, day in and day out the same old thing, nothing new is happening in our lives. We live with a routine that makes us comfortable. We might resist change because we are content with the way our life is. But the fact remains we are and cannot be static in our becoming like Him. We are not in charge of our transformation, Christ is and He is consistently at work within us, changing us, reforming us, transforming us into His likeness, and therefore we will and should reflect the shekinah glory of God. It is interesting the word shekinah means the dwelling or settling and denotes the dwelling of the divine presence. Because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, this shekinah glory is dwelling within for the presence of God is in us. But have we veiled it? Are we hiding it under the veil of our humanity? It would seem this may be possible, but then we would not be living in step with the Spirit. But He is calling out the cadence and if we hear his voice we will walk in the Spirit and live in a constant state of transformation, ever-changing, as His ever-increasing glory glows from within us.