"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." -2 corinthians 4:16
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A problem with academia is the promise of the sure result, is not matched with the truth, that every result must be continuously defended. And ancient Greece was the home of academia. Paul went to Corinth and shared his life as a Christian. And Paul returned. Frustrated. Hurt. Explaining again and again what he had meant as Corinthians split hairs.
Here, Paul is defending his apostleship. He has love for the people of Corinth, but has had to give them a severe lecture in a letter that may no longer exist. Some questioned Paul's apostle status. But Paul's defence is also applicable to all believers.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” - Romans 8:35,37
In early Rome, attempts were made to stop Christian worship and restore traditional Roman pantheist worship. And in stoic Roman style, Christian worshippers showed their faith. Hundreds of years after Paul wrote this letter, a young Christian woman, a teenager, was sentenced to death for her faith. She faced a gladiator. Her father was in the stadium. The gladiator subdued her, but hesitated at the killing blow. She placed the sword tip at her throat and instructed the gladiator to thrust. She died Roman and Christian. Although we die, Christ holds us. Although we fail, Christ holds us. As we live, Christ holds us.
Many Christians are persecuted for their faith today. Many will go their whole lives and not face worse than a reversal of fortune at work. How one dies may make a statement. How one lives makes all the difference. Live as though Christ holds you. It is ok to be outspoken for Christ. It is ok to pray silently. It is ok to let others know you are Christian. It is ok to serve. It is ok to be humiliated for Christ. It is ok to be wrong, and admit it and repent. There is only one way to lose. Reject Christ, continually and finally.
“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” - 1 John 3:11
The message of love was not readily conveyed by the commandments God had given. But as Jesus said, that was their intent. People have hard hearts. They tend to selfishness. Which is understandable, as life is sweet, and so one craves more. But 100 large milkshakes should not be consumed in an hour, but easily in a year, God shows how life can be sweeter.
Service to others is a godly heart. It is humbling, making it easier to continue. Service points the heart in the right direction to walk with God. Selfishness points away from the Lord. Even isolation, which is sometimes what we wish to commune with God, is a selfish retreat if there are others in need.
But the love is like that of family. And family sleep, rest, play and work. It isn’t selfish to tend to your own needs. But we live for family.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” - 1 John 4:10
God loves you. But God will not endure your rebellion to him. God has created a path so that He can love you and not see your rebellion. It is a remarkable thing, to be loved by God. To be loved by God is to have a home in paradise forever. And it is given freely to all, and those who accept the gift can have it.
Just like prayer is not answered if one does not pray, the gift of love must be reciprocated. If you are angry at God, and blame Him for your choices, then you aren’t listening to Him. Anger divides and hurts love, leading to a broken heart.
God made a path for you. You were lost to Him, but He found a way to retrieve you. It is your choice. But why choose to reject the gifts? Why break the heart of one who loves you?
“A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” -Psalm 23:1-3
You are on a path, and there is no off switch to your life. You have freedom of choice, but don’t choose to impede your journey with hubris and ego. Let Him show you the path. You will be able to lie down in green pastures He will provide. He will guide you to still waters. Your soul is thirsty for companionship. He will satisfy that thirst. Sheep are not smart animals, they often do things that aren’t good for them. The shepherd guides them. And God is the shepherd.
We don’t know precisely when David wrote this Psalm. Maybe when his son Absalom had rebelled, and David got shelter in the neighbouring land of Gilead from a shepherd. It matters not why David sought shelter in his wanderings. It matters that the Lord provided them in his time of need. Just as He does for you in your time of need.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” - John 13:34-35
Is it such a difficult command?
It is a wonderful thing to be a disciple of God. Disciples are called by God whose spirit feeds them. They follow the doctrine He set out. They rest on His sacrifice. Anyone can be a disciple, they need only read his Word and want to follow Him.
It is a new command from God. The earlier commands were like it but it restates them in a way that had not been interpreted that way before. Jesus is exemplary of God’s love for all. God wants to be the loved one too. and by showing love, one shows love for God. The love one has for God is deserved by God. So too is the love you show anyone, because it goes to Him.
We are not lost in the wilderness when we have love. And by giving it, we make more.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” - Colossians 3:12
God’s chosen people. You have chosen Him, and He has chosen you. Your hearts were hard, and He softened them. He is preparing you for your mission. It may be that you stay home and be with family, or it may be that you journey. But to each of you, he is preparing you. You have a mission as His representative.
As His representative, be humble. Because you represent Him, you are not Him. Let Him who chose you and knows your heart work for you. Be compassionate. Be kind. Let others see Him in you. gentleness and patience will settle high spirits, and allow Him to be seen in your actions.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13
Paul was persecuted in Rome, and yet he found peace and joy. The peace and joy was not to be found from persecution, but through Paul’s faith in the Lord. The Lord provides. He provides more than mere sustenance. He provides comfort and love. You can have that comfort and love everywhere, even in times of persecution.
Paul is praying powerfully here. All that you need do to access the store of love is to turn to God. God sends the Holy Spirit. All that is needed has been done when Jesus rose from the dead, having died on the cross. You are not weak. You are not defeated. You have been oppressed. However, the Lord is with you, bringing gifts and love.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
We know that God works for the good of those who love him in all things, but we forget it too, when we let the world crowd Him away from our hearts. He has written the law on our hearts, and we are aware of right and wrong when we walk with Him, but we must do that regularly. Or we aren’t walking with Him.
Paul is writing from persecution which he faces. These words are a comfort for those persecuted. You overcome it and it is defeated. Or you succumb, and yet He holds you. You are mortal and will die. Yet He has given you eternal life in His kingdom. A day in His kingdom as servant is better than a thousand days in a corrupt court as a noble.
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“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” - 2 Peter 1:4
You have not yet escaped corruption. You have been given a beautiful gift that will allow you to do so, but while you have life, you must choose life. The promises He makes are rocks on which you can stand. Persevere, for you cannot fail. Persevere, because He backs you. Persevere, because no matter how dire, He gives salvation and redemption.
You will make a mistake you wish you had not. Persevere. Because that mistake will not cost you salvation. You will achieve success in an endeavour, be joyful, and know you had been supported with His love. Even your mistakes may guide others to salvation. If you let Him into your life, all is good. And so, while you have not escaped corruption, still you can taste salvation.
