The apostle Paul had an amazing grasp of truth. He may not have walked with Yahshua in Galilee, but he learned so much from Him after his dramatic conversion. How impoverished we would have been had he not written so prolifically and his letters been treasured and preserved! His second letter to the believers in the Corinthian church reflects the breadth of his apostolic ministry; it is written in two parts. Chapters 1-9 are warm and encouraging, whilst the last four chapters come over as harsh and threatening. Paul communicated with the entire church, commending those who were doing well, and rebuking those who needed to change. We can learn so much from his knowledge of the Torah, his love for Yahshua and his passion for truth.
He makes an extraordinary statement in chapter 4, “For we who live are always being given over to death for [Yahshua’s] sake, so that [Yahshua’s] life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh” [v11, Christian Standard Bible]. What a powerful picture; we are ‘given over to death’ so that the life of Yahshua, resurrection life, may be seen in us! How often do we groan under the weight of circumstances or situations, feeling that life is being sucked out of us? Yet how often do we pray that Yahshua may be seen in us? His image stamped on our lives? As I read this scripture I paused to wonder if I had ever realised before that this type of prayer is connected with death. It’s a sobering thought, but there’s a triumphant conclusion!
Paul joyfully continues, “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” [4:16-17]. However heavy the pressure of the moment might be, Paul describes it as ‘momentary’ and ‘light’, not to belittle our experience but to compare it to the fantastic future that awaits us; a fabulous promise! Let’s learn to draw on divine strength and support which will enable us to yield to the purpose of Yahweh as it unfolds.
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The Living WordNew Audio Devotional
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1 Corinthians 15:19-20 NIV - If only for this life we have hope in - Bible Gateway
Rejoice, Rejoice, Oh Christian, Lift Up Your Voice And Sing Eternal Hallelujahs To [Yahshua the Messiah] The King! The Hope Of All Who Seek Him, The Help Of All Who Find, None Other Is So Loving, So Good And Kind.
Homer A. Rodeheaver
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