2 Corinthians 4

Bible Passage:  2 Corinthians 4

Dear Reader,

Sometimes we look at life through a telescope, camera lens, a monitor screen, or a pair of eyes.

But there is something more than the things seen, beyond what we can see.

When we forget our direction in life Paul’s letter, though written millenniums ago, addresses us with love and encouragement to guide us on the right path. Our ministry is to preach the gospel, Christ’s gospel. You know, how God sent His son Jesus to die for us and save us from our sins. And we have received this ministry not by ourselves but because of the mercy of God. All the more, we should not labour in vain and remember it is all for Christ. Don’t lose heart while preaching. Do not be discouraged when people turn away.

The truth used to be hidden under a “veil”. Yes, the “veil” discussed in the last chapter. It is the “veil” that separates us from God, the “veil” that only Moses and high priests could bypass to ask for forgiveness of our sins or talk to God. But when Jesus died on the cross, the veil at the temple was torn in half symbolic of how man used to separated from God but now we are reconciled to Him because of Christ. So now we can pray directly to God without having to go to another priest or person. After believing in Him, letting Him into our lives, and reading more of

the truth, that “veil” is further lifted. If we actively seek Him and want to learn about Him, He’ll teach us and show us more.

To people of the world, they’ll never understand unless we tell them about it or unless they search for it (it’s hard to seek something you don’t know about). Most people are “blinded” by the devil, the god of this age. And the gospel is the light. It’s easy to forget that preaching is all about Christ when you are rejected and no one hears you out. If you forget that this is all about preaching for Jesus Christ as the Lord, you might take it personally and be offended. Remember it was God who gave us this command to shine our light out in the darkness of this world; the light in knowing the gospel, of the glory of God and of Jesus Christ.

We have this treasure, the ministry and the Holy Spirit, in our humble and frail bodies to work with God. For we are nothing, only dust but it is God who gives us growth and works in us. Though we must suffer, it is not more than we can bear for God will never give us more than we can take. And Paul hopes that his sufferings have been fruitful in bringing the life of Jesus to believers, to us. Even though he has suffered beyond what most of us have been through, he had faith, he did it for the believers (and for us though he would not have known it at the time).

The outward man is perishing, you know the skin and stuff. Yet the inward man is being renewed day by day, that refers to our faith, our spirituality, which is why we must have some sort of prayer and Bible reading every day. And wow, Paul really had a great faith because it doesn’t seem like a light affliction being stoned, travelling in a storm, travelling everywhere, being imprisoned and all his other adventures (not the kind many of us would want to go on). But Paul knew it was temporary, suffering is only for a little while and life is just a temporary assignment.

You don’t need a telescope to see that there’s hope. But have faith. God is always with you.

Sincerely,

appleofHiseye

P.S. What trouble or worry is on your mind now and how can you pray to God about it?

 

•