Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (CEB)
13 We have the same faithful spirit as what is written in scripture: I had faith, and so I spoke.[a] We also have faith, and so we also speak. 14 We do this because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and he will bring us into his presence along with you. 15 All these things are for your benefit. As grace increases to benefit more and more people, it will cause gratitude to increase, which results in God’s glory.
16 So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. 17 Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. 18 We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by David Tanner
“…that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart…”(2 Corinthians 4:15b-16a)
I don’t know about you, but politics is something that I am getting very tired of. The Democrats are mad and say the Republicans are destroying this country. The Republicans are mad and say the Democrats are destroying the country. There doesn’t seem to be any bipartisanship anymore and the country seems to be split down the middle. Even the United Methodist Church is not immune, with the human sexuality issue dividing people in our churches. It seems there is no middle ground anymore. You have to be either on one side all the way or the other all the way. I don’t see any end to these splits in our nation and that is sad. I am not looking forward to this election year or to General and Annual Conference.
Not only is the world seemingly going crazy, but now we are in Lent with its sadness in the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. But there is hope! Now is a great time to remember those words of Paul to the Corinthian Church. We are not to look at what we see happening today and think all is lost, because it is only temporary and will change, but to concentrate on the unseen, God, who is love and who is eternal.
In the midst of troubles and worries of this life, there is a constant love, God, as demonstrated through Jesus Christ. If we concentrate on what God is telling us, then we can survive what this world is telling us. Things will get better! After all, Easter does follow the crucifixion. And THAT is the Good News for today!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, bind us together as one body, one family of faith and love, to your glory and honor. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, AMEN.
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