In 2 Corinthians 4.13, Paul quotes Psalm 116.10. It comes from a passage of hope, redemption and thanksgiving which the Psalmist (a king? Hezekiah?) offers to all of us...because he called out to the Lord. He says this in verse 4, 10. In the midst of big troubles--cords of death, anguish of the grave, trouble, sorrow, greatly afflicted and despair that people are not trustworthy (v. 11)--he calls out to God. The Lord heard and responded with graciousness, compassion, protection, deliverance, solace and strength.
In this vein that Paul encourages the Corinthian church to be bold. Our witness might be persecuted, chastised, derided, satired, and ignored. Though we might be disheartened (or worse), we can be lifted up. Paul's ministry is the great example. The Psalmist's experience should also excite us.
"Therefore, we do not lose heart." (2 Cor. 4.16). If Paul and other missionaries persevere, if we persevere, then grace is extended to "more and more people" (v. 15). There are more people giving praise to God and singing songs of thanksgiving. We will see this happen if we can find God's graciousness, compassion, protection, deliverance, solace and strength.
What else? We'll also benefit (v. 15). How? We'll be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all the legends of our faith (v. 14). We can be encouraged that our faith is validated by the growing numbers of believers. We can be strengthened through the experience of emotional, spiritual, mental and perhaps physical resurrections now and in the future.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Atomic Bomb in a Jar of Clay
"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." (2 Cor. 3.12 NIV). Exhorting, prodding, encouraging the Corinthian church, Paul is ecstatic about the how Christ's message is more glorious than Moses' bringing the law. If the Ten Commandments, a ministry that condemns men through the law, are glorious in revealing God's expectations, how much more glorious is Christ's ministry of righteousness that brings life to people? We are afraid to look upon God for what it will reveal about our hearts and minds. We squint and peak through fingers covering our eyes. Figuratively, we place a veil over our hearts (3.15 and Lamentations 3.65) in the mistaken belief that if we can't see God, He can't see us. Instead, Paul celebrates that we can be transformed when we fully appreciate what Christ has done and open ourselves to the Spirit who brings freedom from condemnation (3.17).
Not only does the Law keep us from clearly seeing God and His grace and mercy, but there's a spiritual power that blinds unbelievers, keeping them veiled and unaware of the hope, love, grace and mercy of God. However, the power of God that created light separated from darkness, and all the rest of creation, has been given to us. His light is in us (4.6). Christ said that we are capable of doing greater things than He did while He was on earth (John 14.12). We are intimate with the God of the big bang. The power of creation--all the suns, stars, planets, nebula, galaxies and the energy at the atomic and universal levels, to move mountains and raise the dead--can be unleashed through prayer.
We are not superheroes. We cannot do amazing, remarkable, supernatural things because we were born on Krypton and are now on a planet with a lesser force of gravity. We are "jars of clay" so that God still gets the glory (4.7). It's as if we have an atomic bomb in a ceramic pot. Though we are fragile and weak, our faithful God does not let His people get crushed beyond hope or fully destroyed. He protects His people so that they remain bold witnesses to their neighbors, community and the rest of the world.
Paul admits that it's not easy. There are troubles and persecutions. He recites all the troubles he's had. However, he knows there's no better way to be than crazy and out of his mind in love with God (5.13).
If you had the power of an atomic bomb within you, wouldn't you be energized, excited and others thinking you can't contain your exuberance? Be bold because you go with God.
Not only does the Law keep us from clearly seeing God and His grace and mercy, but there's a spiritual power that blinds unbelievers, keeping them veiled and unaware of the hope, love, grace and mercy of God. However, the power of God that created light separated from darkness, and all the rest of creation, has been given to us. His light is in us (4.6). Christ said that we are capable of doing greater things than He did while He was on earth (John 14.12). We are intimate with the God of the big bang. The power of creation--all the suns, stars, planets, nebula, galaxies and the energy at the atomic and universal levels, to move mountains and raise the dead--can be unleashed through prayer.
We are not superheroes. We cannot do amazing, remarkable, supernatural things because we were born on Krypton and are now on a planet with a lesser force of gravity. We are "jars of clay" so that God still gets the glory (4.7). It's as if we have an atomic bomb in a ceramic pot. Though we are fragile and weak, our faithful God does not let His people get crushed beyond hope or fully destroyed. He protects His people so that they remain bold witnesses to their neighbors, community and the rest of the world.
Paul admits that it's not easy. There are troubles and persecutions. He recites all the troubles he's had. However, he knows there's no better way to be than crazy and out of his mind in love with God (5.13).
If you had the power of an atomic bomb within you, wouldn't you be energized, excited and others thinking you can't contain your exuberance? Be bold because you go with God.
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