SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. [2 Corinthians 4:10]
Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. [John 14:19]
People who can’t see Jesus don’t get what we are so pumped about.
They think we are blinded, but Paul says they are blinded.
Our focus is not on the transitory things of this world which flourish for a season but gradually fade – our focus is on invisible, eternal things.
This does not disconnect us from day to day reality; we still suffer, we will hurt, we still eat, we still laugh.
But we see and experience all of these things in light of the glorious, eternal and life-giving reality of Jesus.
Sure, he died, but He came back to life, and He is our guarantee of life beyond this life.
We see Jesus, and with Jesus we see and experience life, hope, confidence.
How else can we explain how many people have suffered and died for this belief; if Jesus is not real, it’s a tragic waste.
But with Paul, and the Psalmist, we declare: “I believed in God, so I spoke.” [2 Corinthians 4:13].
This faith revitalizes us on the inside when the outside is wasting away.
Believers through the ages have testified (spoken) that their suffering (whether through persecution, injustice, or sickness) was but a temporary experience, and nothing in comparison to the new and forever life experience awaiting us.
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. [2 Corinthians 4:16-18]
His life shines out from us; He is our glory, our hope, our confidence!
Do you have this resurrection confidence in your life?
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for this resurrection boost, this vision of victory no matter what we go through in this life!
Shine Jesus shine! May we rediate His Light at all times. That is the power. We are not able to shine by ourselves . We need His power, His presence, His light in order to shine. But as always, our eyes must be able to see that power. All too often we are blinded to see Jesus. Open my eyes Lord that I may see You.
Where is my focus? Is it on today? Is it on the Lord? Where do I see Him? Do I look for Jesus every day? Am I depending on Him always? Do I live a life of thanksliving? I need to be thanksgiving always.
Alive, alive forevermore. My Jesus is alive and I must let Him live in me and through me. Others must be able to see Christ in me.
Alive alive alive forevermore
My Jesus is alive
Alive forevermore
Alive alive alive forevermore
My Jesus is alive
Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah
My Jesus is alive forevermore
Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah
My Jesus is alive