2 Corinthians 4:1
(ESV)
[1] Therefore,
having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
Twice in 2
Corinthians 4 Paul writes, “We do not lose heart.” Twice in chapter 5 he declares,
“We are of good courage.” He writes this even as he is experiencing personal
suffering and personal attacks. His courage was not based on his experiences.
His faith was not based on what he could see. He was of good courage and took
heart because he served a risen Lord that was using everything he was going
through to expand the influence of the gospel. Paul knew that Paul’s life was
not about Paul. He knew that the church was not started in Corinth because of
his great powers of persuasion. He knew that even his suffering was being used
by God to build and strengthen the church.
Paul would write
to the Philippians, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at
all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in
my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). If Jesus was still in
the grave, then that would not be true. If Jesus had not risen, then Paul’s
work was meaningless, and his death useless. It is the resurrection that
changes everything. Thus Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:14, “He who raised the
Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his
presence.” Paul’s hope, his courage, his taking heart was rooted in the risen
Lord Jesus Christ.
The Saturday
after Jesus’ crucifixion was a dark day for Jesus disciples. They woke on the
Sabbath with heavy hearts believing that their friend, teacher, and master was
dead for good. They had no idea that in a few short hours everything would
change. With the Apostle Paul, we have the advantage of looking back to the
resurrection. We already know what happened. With the Apostle, we can take
heart and good courage, no matter what the circumstances of life, because by
faith we too can serve a risen Lord. Trust him!
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