Based on 2 Corinthians 4 (New King James Version)
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness 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. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone 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 excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
A new year is upon us, yet again. And with every new year, there are millions of folks all over the world that will want to change their life somehow. I think we all know what they are called: “new year’s resolutions”. Among the many resolutions, at the top of many lists will be: “get in shape”. Every year, we are reminded that we are getting a little older; not quite as svelte as we used to be. Some people will look at pictures of themselves from years past and wish that they could look like that again.
Any health and fitness expert will tell you that the key to getting in shape and just being healthy (not getting into vanity) is through diet and exercise. That is still by far the best way to get healthy in a lasting manner; by adopting a healthy lifestyle. There are folks that try to starve themselves for some weeks, but will gain it all back quickly. There are those that will slave in a gym for some time as well, but the effort is not sustainable, and that too ends quickly. And there are folks that will try crazy stuff like expensive operations or dangerous pills to get there quickly. But the nonetheless, even doing it right, will take some effort and patience. It does not happen overnight. No pain, no gain!
What does this have to do with today’s passage? A lot! Although the saving grace that God bestows upon us through Jesus Christ is free per say (although it was the costliest sacrifice any being could ever pay), there is some work and effort involved in following Him. Actually, if you dig into the Word of God, it is quite challenging to follow Christ. There are those that preach about the Christian walk involving wealth and prosperity, perfect health, and positive motivation. There are those that have made a lot of money on writing books and teaching in stadium-like churches by treating the Bible as a motivational tool; saying that there is no need to change and let go of sin. They sound appealing and attractive, almost hypnotizing (to the simple minded). And it’s not that God can’t provide what we need (because He can); it’s not that God can’t heal and even perform miracles (because He can); and it’s not that God doesn’t want to inspire us, but not at the expense of creating illusions. Following Christ is awesome and fantastic, with many blessings, but it can be very difficult and challenging because truly fine and valuable things in life take time and sacrifice, especially the spiritual.
But the good news (and here is where true inspiration comes in) is that there is an incredible reward for those that do endure the different hardships for the cross of Christ. For it is written: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’” Revelation 21:1-8.
So, there will be hard things to deal with when we follow Christ, from going against the spirit of evil that governs this world, to denying those things that our carnal and fallen nature desire to do; but through Christ, all things are possible. And along the way, we will find some that also are hungry for the grace that only God can give through Jesus Christ. Not everyone in the world wants to be governed and blinded by the god of this age. So, do you believe that Jesus is worth fighting for? Lord bless! John