From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Mon, Feb 21, 2022 at 5:58 AM
Subject: 2-21-22 THOUGHTS
2-21-22 THOUGHTS
There is a certain sense of CAUSE in the reading below. You have a believing, speaking, earthen vessel who calls himself a bond-servant for Christ! Two categories of people are mentioned below. Those to whom the gospel of Christ is veiled because the god of this world has blinded their minds, and those who have the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ in their hearts so as to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Amidst afflictions, Paul says “we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” The TEMPORAL is contrasted with the ETERNAL.
2Cor 4:1-18 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
My Prayer:
O Father God, it is obvious as we grow older that the outward man is failing. Please help us to renew our inward man each day. Teach us to discern between the temporal and the eternal. Help us to choose the right and never lose heart. We believe O Lord, teach us to speak. Help us to be your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. May the light of Christ ever shine in our hearts and bring glory to you O God. May your glory be seen in this world through us.
In the name of the one who saves us, Jesus the Christ Amen