It’s a pleasure to
have you back once again to share another slice of God's Word here at Daily
Bread. Last time we studied, Paul was explaining about the symbolism of the
veil which Moses wore. The children of Israel couldn’t look at Moses’ face
because it was so brilliant after he saw the glory of the Lord. Don’t forget
there was also a veil in the Tabernacle that divided the most holy place
where the mercy seat stood (upon which the Lord’s presence was), from the
holy place of the Tabernacle. So you can see that the veil(s) in the Old
Testament are symbolic of the separation between God and man, but with the
New Testament, the veil is removed when we believe (and we see the glory of
the Lord) and become face to face with Jesus.
Now, the devil,
working through somebody in Corinth, had accused Paul of various different
things. So far we’ve heard about three things that Paul has defended himself
against: He talks about using “lightness” (1:17) or easily changes his mind
about things, being a control freak (1:24) or being dominating, and of being
uppity or conceited (3:5).
You can really
look at much of what Paul writes in this letter as in defense of himself and
Timothy, or you can look at it as a guideline for us as disciples of Christ.
As a Christian, haven’t you been accused of such things? If not, expect to
be. Jesus said that people will even persecute you, believing that they’re
doing it for God’s sake,
John 16:2. And
this was also a prophecy spoken of by David in
Psalms 35:19 and
Psalms 69:4.
Let’s carry on now with Paul’s inspiration:
Therefore seeing that we’ve been given this ministry
(whatever your particular gifts are),
as we have received mercy,
we don’t become weak,
but we’ve turned away from the secrets of dishonesty,
not seeking to trick people,
nor handling the Word of God in deceit,
but by revealing the TRUTH,
making ourselves worthy,
so that every man is aware of it,
in the sight of God.
But if our Gospel is hidden,
it is hidden to them that are lost,
Those who don’t believe,
whose minds the devil has blinded,
For fear that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ,
who is the image of God,
should shine to them.
We don’t promote ourselves,
but we preach Christ Jesus the Lord;
and we are servants for Jesus' sake.
Because 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, this light, in our hearts,
in earthen vessels, in bodies that are made from earth,
so that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not
of us.
Paul’s message, in many beautiful words,
is, It’s not about us, and we don’t try and make it to be. We’re just dust
walking around, and anyone can see, that the light in our hearts, comes from
God, not from anything we’ve done, do, or will ever do. And here’s what you
can expect when you accept God’s treasure, God’s light, in your heart:
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,
so that the life also of Jesus might be made real
in our body.
Not what you expected? Being troubled,
perplexed, persecuted, cast down, always carrying around the memory of
Jesus’ death in your heart . . . wasn’t what you had in mind when you signed
up to be a Christian? Maybe we need to focus on the results of each of these
things. We’re not distressed, not in despair, not forsaken, not destroyed
and the life of Jesus will be made real in us.
For we which live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake,
that the life also of Jesus might be seen in our mortal
flesh.
So then death works in us, but life in you.
We, then, having the same spirit of faith,
as it is written (by David),
I believed, and therefore have I spoken;
Psalms 116:10
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.
And that’s the whole purpose, isn’t it?
That’s the promise of the New Testament of God. Maybe what Paul is saying
here, is, I don’t care what people say about me, they can say all they want,
I’m not going to stop. I’m going to press on and serve my Lord. These little
problems are nothing to me. My goal is to increase the treasure, the light,
that the Lord has put in my heart.
For all things are for your good,
that the abundant
Grace might through
the thanksgiving of many,
add to the glory of God.
For this reason we don’t grow weary;
but though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our small troubles, which are but for a moment,
work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory;
while we don’t look at the things which are visible (mortal),
but at the things which are invisible (spiritual),
because the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
