Veroni's Views

In two remarkable portions of the same letter, Paul points out some of the anomalies of the Christian life.  Because of his own experience, some of them are extremes.  However, I believe you will find yourself in at least some of the situations he describes.  Paul experienced much of what he writes about physically.  Although we may have been spared physical suffering, we all know that emotional and spiritual battles are often as bad or worse than physical suffering.  

Paul writes:  “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our bodies the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4.8-10) 

And : “Through bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; know, yet regarded as unknown; dying, end yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6.8-10) 

How does Paul maintain his equilibrium under these circumstances?  As we continue to study Paul’s writings, we gain insight into the perspective he had.  This has been a great encouragement to me, and I trust you will also experience that.   

Here are some of Paul’s insights.

Paul has a realistic picture of our position as human beings.   “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4.7)  

He realizes that this life is nothing compared to the eternal joy we are assured of.  We live in the expectation of the resurrection.    “Because we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to Himself.”  (2 Corinthians 4.14)

“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)

“God has given us his Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 5.5.)

The guiding principle of our lives is that we have one goal, and that is to please God.  (2 Corinthians 5.9)

One translation has the following for 2 Corinthians 6.7:  “Our best weapon for attack and defence is to do the will of God.”

For all of the above reasons, we can say with Paul:  “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12.10)

Christians are like a cork pressed under water.  By the power of God inherent in us, we always pop up again!

Let us pray

Father, we thank you for your irrepressible power.  Thank you that the same power by which you raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.  Help us to live in the realization of that truth.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen