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Don't Give up!

Don't Give up!

Words of Faith 9-26-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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2 Corinthians 4

 

   [16] Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

       So don't give up! This is the second time within just a few verses that Paul talks about not "losing heart". He wasn't saying that as a Christian we will not have times that are discouraging. Nor was Paul saying that he did not get weary. Quite the opposite! Paul experienced discouragement, weariness and distress, but he did not "lose heart". He didn't give up.

      Why? Three things. God was renewing him inwardly day by day. God was achieving an eternal glory even through these troubles. Paul had fixed his eyes upon the eternal rather than the temporary.

       Paul did not give up because he was being inwardly renewed day by day. Outwardly, he was under tremendous pressure. But inwardly, God was constantly at work renewing and refreshing Paul.

       Paul was not immune to discouragement in his ministry. In fact, Titus' failure to meet him in Troas disturbed him deeply. It was just one of many experiences which wore him down and reminded him of his mortality. But God had given him "this ministry" and God-- the triumphant Son, the glorious Spirit, and the powerful Father-- was at work in it.

       God also gave to Paul the assurance of resurrection. Because of this, Paul did not lose heart. He did not "give up". He did not "faint away". He stayed connected to God even in these difficult and distressful times. Jesus taught the disciples that though they would certainly go through distress, "they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1). Paul was following after that very teaching.

       Paul's earthly mortality was increasingly evident at this point. He speaks of outwardly "wasting away". But his heavenly destiny was also increasingly evident. While physically he grew weaker, spiritually he experienced the renewing work of the Holy Spirit day by day.

       Paul understood that the means used by God in this transforming, renewing process is suffering. The Apostle Peter wrote to believers-- "But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" (1 Peter 4:13-14).

       Paul compared the sufferings he had experienced, severe as they were, to light and momentary troubles. They were nothing in view of the eternal glory that would be his when he would be in Jesus' "presence" and would be like Him.

     What an amazing perspective! Paul claimed that all of his heavy, continuous burdens were "light in weight" or "easy to bear". These difficulties were "momentary"-- "brief, for the slight moment, on the spot". Though Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8 that his hardships were "far beyond" his ability to endure, he now said that the coming glory in Jesus far outweighs them all.

       This eternal perspective and hope in things to come sustained Paul in the midst of the temporary sufferings that marked his ministry. The world and its present sufferings are passing away.

      Paul understood clearly that what is seen (the material) is temporary, but what is unseen (the spiritual) is eternal. These temporary things will be replaced by a "glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:4), an "eternal glory in Christ" (1 Peter 5:10). Therefore, Paul said, believers should look not on what is seen but, ironically, on what cannot be seen. What the inner man "sees" surpasses what physical eyes see.

       Are you going through a hard time? Is the pressure on you big time? Paul gives witness of something wonderful that is available to believers. We can be renewed inwardly day by day. We can gain an eternal perspective and realize even as God uses suffering in our lives. We can see that these troubles are in fact, light in weight and momentary compared to the glory of Jesus that is to come. And because of this we do not lose heart.

       Don't be discouraged. He is with you. Don't lose heart. He is renewing you. Don't give up.

 

       Father God, thank You for Paul and his witness. Encourage me just as You encouraged Paul. Renew me from the inside day by day. Set my eyes upon those things that are eternal. Strengthen me for what You desire me to do and who You desire me to be. In Jesus' Name.