Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3[...] 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11[...]
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:1-18
How is that for a spiritual challenge?
We do not lose heart and renounce to cunning ways to live in open statement of truth. Why? Because what we proclaim is from God who has shone in our hearts to give us the knowledge (this involves knowing) of the glory of God which is Jesus. However, this treasure is in jars of clay so that we know whose power it really is. So even though we go through hard times, we don't despair carrying in our bodies the death of Jesus so that his life may be manifested. So we don't lose heart! Even if our bodies are wasting, our inner self is daily being renewed for we are preparing for greater things ahead of us. We are preparing for eternity.
I love this passage. This was my devotional today and I just wanted to share it with all!
Love,
Ana
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