Day 64 - 2Corinthians 1-5

What is the purpose of suffering and trouble? There are many, but Paul points out just a few for us in the opening of this second epistle to the Corinthians. First, the reason that we suffer is so that we can receive the comfort that comes from God in order that we might be able to comfort others with the same comfort that we have received from God (1:3-4). Those of you that have been through difficult times yourselves know the overwhelming grace of God that accompanies such trying situations and no doubt you've been able to be used by God to bring comfort and encouragement to others who are enduring similar troubles. I know I've seen that time and time again in my own life. Second, trials and difficulties come in order to reinforce in us our dependence upon God (1:9). Often, when life is going smoothly, we can tend to coast, relying on our own strength, but when troubles come, we are quickly reminded how much we need God and His all-sufficient sustaining grace in our lives. Third, we experience suffering in order to move ourselves and those around us to prayer (1:11). God accomplishes His purposes and plans through the prayers of His people. Suffering and trouble bring us to our knees, and we are ready to call others around us to do the same. Then, when we endure successfully the trial, God is glorified through answered prayer. So, don't waste your suffering! Submit to what God is doing through that trial and glorify Him as He sustains you!

Those who minister the Word of God have an effect on people's lives. The effect is different depending on the type of person who is hearing the ministry of the Word. To those who are "saved" (those who have repented of their sins and trusted in the finished work of Christ alone), the effect is one of "life." To those who are "perishing" (those who have NOT turned from their sins to Christ), the effect is one of "death" (2:14-16). How does the ministry of the Word affect you? If it is a source of "life" to you, then praise the Lord for this confirmation of His salvation in you! If it is a source of "death" to you, then come, turn from your sins and trust in what Jesus Christ did on the cross of Calvary to save you and then this ministry of the Word will be "life" to you as well!

There two verses in chapter three that are favorites of mine. The first is vs5. My awareness of my need for God grows more and more keen nearly every day! This is one of the verses that God has used to heighten that awareness. The only way that I am sufficient to do anything for the cause of Christ is through the sufficiency that comes from God. The other verse is vs18. What is the catalyst of lasting change? It is a fresh and continual revelation of who God is. As we behold Him in His glory, we are changed--transformed! And how much to we need that divine transformation!

Chapter 4 has two more. First - vs7. I am but a jar of clay, yet God has chosen to do a portion of His work through me. The reason? So that He can receive the glory! I love it when God uses frail people such as myself to accomplish His Kingdom work because when that happens, God is glorified because it is apparent that it is not because of me that the work succeeds! Second - vs17. This is another reason for the suffering and difficulty that God brings into our lives--it makes us long for Heaven! This verse also puts suffering in perspective. It is light. No matter how heavy it may feel, in the grand scheme of things it is light. It is momentary. Even if a particular trial lasts for your entire life, it is momentary in the light of eternity. This light momentary affliction is doing a work in us that is beyond our wildest imaginations! To God be the glory that He can take things that seem so bad and difficult and then use them in our lives to make us better!

When I was in seminary, I wrote an entire paper just on vs14-21 of this chapter. I will spare you all of those details, but let me briefly point out some very significant points that Paul makes in this chapter.
Vs14-15 - Why did Jesus die? Obviously, there are many answers to this question, but one that Paul points out here is so that we would not live for ourselves, but for Him! So, when we live for ourselves, we contradict one of the reasons that Jesus died for us.
Vs17 - When we are regenerated, there is a massive change that takes place in us. Old things pass away and new things come. If there has been no change in your life like this, then this is a good time to examine yourself to see if you really are "in the faith."
Vs21 - The sinless Son of God became sin so that we, sinful people, might be made righteous. This is the glory of what is called "double imputation." Our sin was imputed to Jesus Christ, therefore He died. His righteousness was imputed to us, therefore we live. What a precious truth that is!