II Corinthians 4
Tell the truth of God to allverses 1-2
Therefore – seeing we have this ministry – as we have received mercy
we faint not
BUT have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty
not walking in craftiness
not handling the word of God deceitfully
BUT by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man’s conscience
in the sight of God
Light of the Good Newsverses 3-4
BUT if our gospel be hid – it is hid to them that are lost
in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
WHO is the image of God
should shine to them
Preaching brings lightverses 5-7
FOR we preach not ourselves – BUT Christ Jesus the Lord
and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake
FOR God – WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness
has shined in our hearts – to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
BUT we have this treasure in earthen vessels
that the excellency of the power may be of God – and not of us
Circumstance can be difficultverses 8-12
We are troubled on every side – yet not distressed
we are perplexed – BUT not in despair
persecuted – BUT not forsaken – cast down
BUT not destroyed
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body
FOR we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh
SO then death works in us – BUT life in you
Continue to preachverses 13-15
We having the same spirit of faith – according as it is written
I believed – and therefore have I spoken
we also believe – and therefore speak
Knowing that HE which raised up the Lord Jesus
shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you
FOR all things are for your sakes
that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving
of many redound to the glory of God
Fix your eyes on Jesusverses 16-18
FOR which cause we faint not – BUT though our outward man perish
YET the inward man is renewed day by day
FOR our light affliction – which is but for a moment
work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
while we look not at the things which are seen
BUT at the things which are not seen
FOR the things which are seen are temporal
BUT the things which are not seen are eternal
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not (1653 “mercy” [eleeo] means have mercy on, show mercy, to be merciful toward, to feel pity, have compassion, to help one afflicted or seeking aid, to bring help to the wretched, or to show kindness)
DEVOTION: God has given every one of HIS children mercy. Mercy is God not giving us what we desire because of our sin. We deserve a place reserved for us in the lake of fire because of our sin. Jesus died on the cross to change our reservation. Once we become a follower of Jesus Christ our reservation changes because God the Father looks at us through Jesus Christ and HIS sacrifice for our sins.
God the Father doesn’t see our sin anymore. That is mercy. Should we abuse HIS mercy? NO!! Once we receive it we want to do what HE wants us to do.
What does HE expect of us? If we are children HE wants us to obey our parents as long as they don’t tell us to do something HE tells us is wrong. We are to obey them by doing our chores. We are to obey them when they tell us not to do something that will hurt us even we think it won’t hurt us. We are to read our Bible, pray and give of our allowance to the LORD each time we receive the allowance. These are things that show we really appreciate what God has done for us by showing us mercy.
One of the ways this verse state is that we don’t give up. We continue serving HIM through good times and bad because of HIS great love for us.
CHALLENGE: Now we need to show mercy to our fellow believers and those we are witnessing to in our world.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
: 4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them. (5186 “blinded” [tuphloo] means to blunt the mental discernment, darken the mind, to make unable or unwilling to perceive or understand, conceived as rendering a person unable to see, make to not understand, or to make unbelievers unable to understand)
DEVOTION: Some people don’t seem to understand the Word of God. These same people can hear a message about asking Jesus Christ to come into their life and wonder what that is all about.
The Bible says here that some people are blinded to the message of the Gospel because the “god of this age” has blinded them. Who is this “god?” It is the enemy of every believer. It is a fallen angel called Satan. He led a group of angels in rebellion against God. He wants to see everyone join him in the lake of fire for eternity. He even thinks that he can defeat God.
The Holy Spirit can counteract the blinding of the devil or Satan. Some people refuse to let HIM because they enjoy being blinded. They don’t think they need Jesus Christ.
The Light of the Gospel is shining but they are covering their eyes. If they allow the Gospel to work in their life they will become a follower of Jesus Christ. It is hard to understand why people reject Jesus for those who are HIS followers.
We just have to realize that everyone has an opportunity to become a believer but the majority rejects it because they think they don’t need it. That doesn’t mean that we don’t pray for the salvation of those who are rejecting the message. We have to try to reach them while they are alive. They will one day stand before the LORD and answer for their rejection and they will never be able to say they never had a chance to become a believer. CHALLENGE: God will play back their mind to show how many times people tried to show them the way but they rejected the Light of the Gospel.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we areperplexed, but not in despair (639 “perplexed” [aporeo] means be at a loss, to have no way out, doubt, to be without resources, not to know which way to turn, not to know what to decide or what to do, or be puzzled)
DEVOTION: Paul is honest in his struggles. He had many enemies. He could see people in the churches he started not following the LORD correctly. He taught and some didn’t listen. He knew the god of this age which is Satan was at work in the church. He knew he was preaching only Jesus Christ and it wasn’t for his own personal benefit. He was shining a light in dark places but it still was giving him trouble on every side. He got discouraged in ministry.
He had crowd against him on every side but not crushed by them. He was at a loss but he was not at a total loss. He was persecuted but not forsaken of the LORD. He was down but not out. He knew that Christ went through a lot while HE was on the earth and knew that he would have to go through some of the same things.
He was warning other Christians that the Christian life was not easy. But he was also telling the Christians in Corinth that it was worth it all. There is going to be a celebration in heaven in the future. He was looking for eternal benefits over present benefits. He was looking for eternal things. He knew that the affliction he was facing was LIGHT compared to the GLORY in the future.
The Christian life is a calling to be unique. We are to be individuals who realize that the Christian life is not a bed of roses. There are going to be storms in our lives. Sometimes these storms are violent. During these violent storms in our life we wonder what is going on. God has thrown something into our lives that we just don’t understand how it can serve HIS purpose. We don’t like trouble. We don’t like to be persecuted. We don’t like to be cast down. We just don’t know what to do when these things happen.
We pray and ask for HIS help but it seems that HE is quiet, but HE is the only one we can really turn to. What is nice is that during those times we don’t have to be in despair like those without Christ. We have HOPE.
Do we trust Christ during these hard times? Do we deny HIM? Do we doubt HIS love? Do we realize that HE is with us during these times of testing? HE IS!!!
Our outward man is dying but our inward man is renewed with the TRUTH that Jesus is there to help us through all our troubles each and every day. Praise HIS name!
CHALLENGE: When everything seems to be going in the wrong direction – TRUST HIM!!!
: 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (1573 “faint” [ekkakeo] means be weary, exhausted, to be utterly spiritless, become discouraged, give up, lose heart, lose enthusiasm, or despair)
DEVOTION: Paul is describing an attitude that has to be in every servant of the LORD. If the circumstances are bad sometimes it is easier to get discouraged and want to give up on our service to the LORD. The enemy is whispering in our ears that it isn’t worth all this trouble. People around us try to tell us to stop serving the LORD because everything we do seems to be going in the wrong direction.
Even in the ministry of Paul there were always those who were questioning his motives. They were questioning his teachings. They were questioning the direction he was taking the church in regard to the polities of the church.
Once you are tired you see all the negative things about what is happening around you and your ministry. Paul could see these things too. Yet he never gave up.
The statements in this chapter show that he had every reason to give up. There was trouble. There are times when he was perplexed. There were times of persecution. There were times of being cast down in his spirit. Yet while he knew that the outward man was getting older and weaker, he believed that the LORD was renewing his inner man each day.
We have to realize that we can renew our inner man through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our life. We can renew our inner man by the proper meditation on the Word of God. Each time I read the Word of God and pray the Holy Spirit encourages me with a new insight into the passage I am studying or HE reminds me of something I had learned in the past but had forgotten.
We are not to be discouraged in our God given ministries. HE knows what our gift is for HIM and HE is using our gift for HIS glory. We are never to give up even when our outer man is perishing. We are to serve the LORD until HE takes our last breath away. Discouragement can be a part of our life or we can turn to the LORD and ask for HIS encouragement to go on.
CHALLENGE: When it seems like you should give up – turn to the LORD in prayer and ask for HIS encouragement. Paul did and he knew that God was there renewing his inner man.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of Godverse 2
Quote of Genesis 1: 3 / Is. 9: 2verse 6
As it is written (Ps. 116: 10)verse 13
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 2, 4, 6, 7, 15
Word of Godverse 2
Sight of Godverse 2
Glory of Godverses 6, 15
Power of Godverse 7
Raised up the Lord Jesusverse 14
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Christverses 4-6
Gospel of Christverse 4
Image of Godverse 4
Jesusverses 5, 6, 10, 11, 14
Lordverses 5, 10, 14
Christ Jesus the Lordverse 5
Face of Jesus Christverse 6
Lord Jesusverses 10, 14
Dying of Lord Jesusverse 10
Raised upverse 14
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
god of this world (Satan)verse 4
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Bodyverse 10
Mortal fleshverse 11
Outward manverse 16
Temporalverse 18
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Faintverse 1
Hidden things of dishonestyverse 2
Walking in craftinessverse 2
Handling the word of God deceitfullyverse 2
Hide the gospelverse 3
Lostverse 3
Blinded the mindsverse 4
Believe notverse 4
Preach selfverse 5
Distressedverse 8
Despairverse 8
Forsakenverse 9
Destroyedverse 9
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Ministryverse 1
Mercyverse 1
Faint notverses 1, 16
Manifestation of the truthverse 2
Commending to every man’s conscienceverse 2
Preach the gospelverses 3, 5, 13
Believeverse 4
Light shines in lifeverses 4, 12
Servantsverse 5
Gospel shined in our heartsverse 6
Knowledge of glory of Godverse 6
Treasure in earthen vesselsverse 7
Powerverse 7
Troubledverse 8
Perplexedverse 8
Persecutedverse 9
Not forsakenverse 9
Cast downverse 9
Not destroyedverse 9
Life of Christ manifested verses 10, 11
Faithverse 13
Believedverse 13
Raised up by Jesusverse 14
Abundant Graceverse 15
Thanksgivingverse 15
Renewed day by dayverse 16
Little afflictionverse 17
Weight of gloryverse 17
Look on things that are not seenverse 18
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Preach gospelverse 3
Light of the glorious gospel of Christverse 4
Preach Christverse 5
Last Things (Future Events)
Deathverse 12
Raised upverse 14
Outward man perishverse 16
Eternalverses 17, 18
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QUOTES regarding passage
The meaning is the same in 2 Cor. 4:1: Paul will not let any difficulties cause him to fail or grow weary. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (394). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.)
2 To this thought of refusing to grow disheartened Paul will return presently (v. 16). Now he expands his brief self-defense of 2:17. Evidently he had been accused of deceitful behavior (cf. 7:2; 12:16). This he emphatically rejects. The openness marking the new covenant had always been reflected in his conduct. His tactics had never been secretive or deceptive, nor had he ever dishonestly manipulated the message of God entrusted to him. His not insisting on Gentile compliance with the Mosaic law had probably given rise to the charge that he willfully adulterated the gospel (cf. 2:17).
In any self-defense, self-commendation must play some part. But Paul’s self-commendation was distinctive. He commended himself, not by self-vindication at every point, but simply by the open declaration of the truth (in particular, the gospel and its implications). His appeal was not directed to a partisan spirit or the prejudices of men but “to every man’s conscience.” His self-commendation was undertaken with God as onlooker. (Harris, M. J. (1976). 2 Corinthians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10, p. 340). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House)
2. Dishonesty (τῆς αἰσχύνης). Rev., more correctly, shame. Compare Eph. 5:12.
Craftiness (πανουργίᾳ). See on Luke 20:23.
Handling deceitfully (δολοῦντες). Only here in the New Testament. Primarily, to ensnare; then to corrupt. Used of adulterating gold, wine, etc. See on which corrupt, ch. 2:17. This verb has a narrower meaning than the one used there (καπηλεύειν); for, while that means also to corrupt, it adds the sense for gain’s sake. (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 310). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)
But we have renounced (ἀλλα ἀπειπαμεθα [alla apeipametha]). Indirect middle second aorist (timeless aorist) indicative of ἀπειπον [apeipon] (defective verb) with α [a] of first aorist ending, to speak forth, to speak off or away from. Common verb in the active, but rare in middle and only here in N. T. The hidden things of shame (τα κρυπτα της αἰσχυνης [ta krupta tēs aischunēs]). They do attack the minister. His only safety is in instant and courageous defiance to all the powers of darkness. It is a terrible thing to see a preacher caught in the toils of the tempter. In craftiness (ἐν πανουργιᾳ [en panourgiāi]). Old word from πανουργος [panourgos] (παν, ἐργον [pan, ergon]), a doer of any deed (good or bad), clever, cunning, deceitful. See on Luke 20:23. Handling deceitfully (δολουντες [dolountes]). Present active participle of δολοω [doloō], from δολος [dolos], deceit (from δελω [delō], to catch with bait), old and common verb, in papyri and inscriptions, to ensnare, to corrupt with error. Only here in N. T. Used of adulterating gold or wine. To every conscience of men (προς πασαν συνειδησιν ἀνθρωπων [pros pāsan suneidēsin anthrōpōn]). Not to whim, foible, prejudice. See 3:1–6 for “commending” (συνιστανοντες [sunistanontes]). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (2 Co 4:2). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
4:2. One source of discouragement was the disquieting state of affairs in Corinth. This was caused by the activity of false apostles in the church and the passivity of the Christians. In the face of sharp accusations Paul found it necessary to defend himself before people who should have trusted him implicitly. Already he had adroitly parried the attacks of his accusers several times in the letter (e.g., 1:17; 2:17; 3:1), but he felt forced to do so again (e.g., 6:3; 7:3; 10–13). Some accused him of using the gospel deceitfully to serve his own ends (deception translates the Gr. panourgia, “trickery, cunning”; in 11:3 this word is used of Satan). Perhaps Paul had the collection in mind (12:16–18; cf. 2:17). In response he pointed to the openness (we have renounced secret and shameful ways … setting forth the truth plainly) and boldness (cf. 3:12) which characterized his proclamation of the gospel. Unlike his opponents, he did not distort (“falsify”) the Word of God. Thus he could commend himself (cf. 6:4) before others and God (cf. conscience in 1:12; 5:11). (Lowery, D. K. (1985). 2 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 562–563). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
It kept him from being a deceiver (vv. 2–4). “But we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the Word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2, nasb). Paul was certainly alluding to the Judaizers when he wrote these words. Many false teachers today claim to base their doctrine on the Word of God, but false teachers handle God’s Word in deceptive ways. You can prove anything by the Bible, provided you twist the Scriptures out of context and reject the witness of your own conscience. The Bible is a book of literature and it must be interpreted according to the fundamental rules of interpretation. If people treated other books the way they treat the Bible, they would never learn anything.
Paul had nothing to hide, either in his personal life or in his preaching of the Word. Everything was open and honest; there was no deception or distortion of the Word. The Judaizers were guilty of twisting the Scriptures to fit their own preconceived interpretations, and ignorant people were willing to follow them.
If Paul was such a faithful teacher of the Word, then why did not more people believe his message? Why were the false teachers so successful in winning converts? Because the mind of the lost sinner is blinded by Satan, and fallen man finds it easier to believe lies than to believe truth. The Gospel “is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:3–4).
Paul had already explained that the minds of the Jews were “veiled” because of the blindness of their hearts (Rom. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:14–16). The minds of the Gentiles are also blinded! Those who are lost (“perishing”) cannot understand the message of the Gospel. Satan does not want the glorious light of salvation to shine into their hearts. As the god of this age and the prince of this world (John 12:31), Satan keeps lost sinners in the dark. The sad thing is that Satan uses religious teachers (like the Judaizers) to deceive people. Many of the people who today belong to cults were originally members of Christian churches. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 641–642). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
4:2 we have renounced the things hidden because of shame. “Renounced” means “to turn away from” or “to repent,” and “shame” means “ugly” or “disgraceful.” The phrase “things hidden” refers to secret immoralities, hypocrisies, and the sins hidden deep in the darkness of one’s life. At salvation every believer repents and turns away from such sin and devotes his life to the pursuit of godliness. This appears to be a reply by Paul to a direct and slanderous accusation against him, that he was a hypocrite, whose mask of piety hid a corrupt and shameful life. adulterating. This Gr. word means “to tamper with,” and was used in non-biblical sources to speak of the dishonest business practice of diluting wine with water. The false teachers accused Paul of being a deceiver (“craftiness”) who was twisting and perverting the teaching of Jesus and the OT Scripture. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Co 4:2). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, &c.] Or shame: this is a further account of the conduct of the first ministers of the Gospel, and very worthy of our imitation, and in which the apostle strikes at the different manner of behaviour in the false apostles: this may respect both doctrine and practice; they abhorred and rejected every thing that was scandalous and reproachful to the Gospel of Christ; in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, they had their conversation in the world; they were open and above board, both in principle and practice; the same men in public, as in private; they used no art to cover their doctrines, or hide their conversations; every thing of this kind was detestable to them; whereas the false teachers took a great deal of pains to colour over both their sentiments and their lives; and a shame it was to speak of the things that were done of them in secret, Eph. 5:12. Moreover, they were not walking in craftiness; they used no sly and artful methods to please men, to gain applause from them, or make merchandise of them; they did not lie in wait to deceive, watching an opportunity to work upon credulous and incautious minds; they did not, by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple; nor put on different forms, or make different appearances, in order to suit themselves to the different tempers and tastes of men, as did the false apostles: not handling the word of God deceitfully. They did not corrupt it with human doctrines, or mix and blend it with philosophy, and vain deceit; they did not wrest the Scriptures to serve any carnal or worldly purpose; nor did they accommodate them to the lusts and passions of men; or conceal any part of truth, or keep back any thing which might be profitable to the churches: but by the manifestation of the truth, commending themselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God; that is, they with all plainness and evidence clearly preached the truth as it is in Jesus, presenting it to, and pressing it upon the consciences of men; where they left it, and to which they could appeal; and all this they did, in the sight and presence of the omniscient God, to whom they knew they must give an account of themselves and their ministry. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 777). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
Next, comes a new morality. We have been called to renounce all crookedness in handling the things of the world and in handling the themes of the Word: “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,” Paul says (2 Cor. 4:2). That is the way the world works. That was the way the legalists at Corinth were working in Paul’s day. That is the way the cults work in our day. The word for “dishonesty” here is aischunē, always translated “shame” elsewhere in the King James text. The legalists, in Paul’s opinion, ought to have been ashamed of themselves. The word for “craftiness” is panourgia, which suggests unscrupulous conduct. The word is used of the chief priests and scribes when they set a trap for Him by asking Him if they ought to pay tribute to Caesar. “He perceived their craftiness,” Luke says (Luke 20:23). He saw right through their cunning attempt to embrace Him either with the Jewish nationalists or the Roman authorities. Similarly, Paul saw through “the shameful, secret things” (Companion Bible margin) of the legalists. They were up to the same old tricks. The preachers of the New Covenant have renounced these things. The word for “renounced” is apeipon. We are to disown all shameful trickery like that which Paul’s opponents, evidently, employed in their efforts to subvert his converts.
We have also been called upon to renounce all crookedness in handling the themes of the Word. Paul continues: “Nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2c–d). In contrast with the legalists, Paul avows: “We do not tamper with God’s Word.” There was no dishonest manipulation of the Scriptures. The word for “handling” is doloō. It means not only to deceive but to falsify. Paul accuses the legalists of deliberately corrupting the text as some believe Westcott and Hort have done in preparing their now popular Greek text of the New Testament. Both men were deeply involved in spiritism as well as being ranking clergymen of the Anglican Church. They made no secret between themselves, as is evident from their mutual correspondence, of what their real intentions were.
In contrast with those who manipulated the Scriptures to promote their own nefarious ends, Paul affirms his own ministry as having been absolutely transparent. He and the other apostles employed an open statement of the truth in communicating the gospel. Paul’s enemies relied on cunning to gain adherents. Paul relied on the plain, unvarnished truth. Truth, after all, has a self-evidencing power about it so that, even when it is rejected and hated, it nevertheless witnesses to the conscience as being true. It commends itself to the conscience as being true, conscience, after all, being God’s ally in the soul, His own vice-regent, indeed, placed there, since the Fall to witness to the truth of God.
Truth carries with it a simplicity and a sincerity that are both artless and convincing. Lies, on the other hand, are tortuous, corrosive of character, sometimes ingenious, often in need of other lies to prop them up, and, in the end, self-revealing as lies. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring 2 Corinthians: An Expository Commentary (2 Co 4:1–2d). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
Because Paul had received this glorious new covenant ministry and because of the mercy God granted him during ministry, he refused to give up (cf.4”16). Those who have a clear vision of the mercy of God in their lives and the glory of God manifested in Christ can persist in the gospel ministry during times of hardship. In response to his opponents, Paul defended his bold ministry by renouncing anything hidden because it is shameful. He did this negatively by rejecting deceit and misrepresentation of the OT and positively by a clear presentation of truth concerning Jesus.
(p. 1813, The Moody Bible Commentary by Michael Rydelnik & Michael Vanlaningham)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
All human religions teach men that there is something they can do and must do whereby they can placate God and earn their own salvation. The gospel, and the gospel alone, tells men that they are utterly helpless, that they can do nothing to merit divine favor, but that they do not need to do anything, for God Himself has come out in loving-kindness in the Person of His Son to save men by grace alone. (p. 95, II Corinthians by H.A. Ironside)
Franklin Graham quote: Former Vice President Dick Cheney said in the Wall Street Journal that President Obama had done more to weaken the United States than any other president in history. I don’t know about that, but I do know what has weakened America—Sin. It is destroying our nation from the inside out. We wink at what God calls sin. Hollywood glorifies it, calling murder, sex, and greed entertainment. Madison Avenue spends billions to promote sex and promiscuity. Pornography is an epidemic. Our politicians are legalizing what God has defined as sin. All of this destroys lives and will eventually bring our nation down. The only remedy for sin is Jesus Christ. Don’t let sin destroy you—give your life to Christ today. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Numbers 14
The children of Israel reject God’s signs.
INSIGHT
By nature, we are sight-walkers, not faith-walkers. We tend to have confidence in that which we can see, that which we have known. We fear that which we can’t see and haven’t known.
Not only does Israel refuse to go into the land because of the giants-the Israelites want to return to Egypt! Do they not remember that they were slaves there? Do they not remember that they cried out in tears to God for deliverance from Egypt?
You can’t go back to your old life. There is nothing there but bondage. Your hope lies in following the Lord by faith. Walk forward. (Quiet Walk)
THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLIES CHRIST’S WORD
When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin. John 16:8
The Holy Spirit not only reveals Christ—He also applies His Word, which convicts us of sin. I have met people who said to me, “I do not understand this teaching about sin. I do not feel I am a sinner.” Well, if you do not feel you are a sinner, it is simply because you do not know yourself, and you do not know yourself because the Holy Spirit has not convicted you. Some of the best people who have ever trodden this earth have been those who have been most conscious of their sinfulness. I cannot imagine a worse state for anybody to be in than for him or her to say he or she does not feel he or she is a sinner. The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces of sin, and if He has not done it for you, if you value your own soul, ask Him to do it. Christ came to die for sinners, not for the righteous, and the first work of the Spirit is to convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. We come to Christ for salvation after the Spirit has convinced us of sin, because the Lord Jesus Chr ist is the answer to our need.
The Holy Spirit then gives us assurance of our acceptance and our forgiveness. He is a seal given to us to show that we belong to God. He testifies with our spirits that we are the children of God. No Christian has a right to be uncertain about his or her salvation; the Holy Spirit has been given in order that we might be certain, for “the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). If any Christian who is reading this is uncertain or is lacking in assurance and in happiness, let me urge this upon you—ask for the gift of the Spirit in His fullness, ask for this blessed assurance, tell God you long for it, do not give yourself rest or peace, and in a sense do not give God rest or peace until you have it.
A Thought to Ponder: No Christian has a right to be uncertain about his or her salvation. (From Saved in Eternity, pp. 91-92, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, I curled up in my recliner. Our family had followed God’s leading and had moved from California to Wisconsin. After we arrived, our car broke down and left us without a vehicle for two months. Meanwhile, my husband’s limited mobility after an unexpected back surgery and my chronic pain complicated our unpacking. We uncovered costly problems with our new-to-us, old home. Our senior dog suffered with health issues. And though our new pup brought great joy, raising a furry ball of energy was far more work than anticipated. My attitude soured. How was I supposed to have unshakable faith while traveling on a bumpy road of hardships?
As I prayed, God reminded me of the psalmist whose praise didn’t depend on circumstances. David poured out his emotions, often with great vulnerability, and sought refuge in the presence of God (Psalm 16:1). Acknowledging God as provider and protector (vv. 5-6), he praised Him and followed His counsel (v. 7). David affirmed that he would “not be shaken” because he kept his eyes “always on the Lord” (v. 8). So, he rejoiced and rested secure in the joy of God’s presence (vv. 9-11).
We too can delight in knowing our peace doesn’t depend on our present situation. As we thank our unchanging God for who He is and always will be, His presence will fuel our steadfast faith. By Xochitl Dixon. OUR Daily Bread)
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