Oct 03, 2014 Words of Grace – We Do Not Lose Heart
The Apostle Paul said, “We do not lose heart.” Really? It seems like we are always losing heart and getting discouraged. I can think of a thousand reasons Christians lose heart. Two reasons are found in 2 Corinthians 4.
We lose heart over the perceived weakness of the gospel. We look around and see so much unbelief, and we look within and see so much progress to be made. We wonder if the gospel of Jesus Christ is really the message of hope and transformation for others and us.
We lose heart over the obvious weakness of our humanity. We feel our human weakness and limitation and wonder if God’s Spirit is really in us. With weakness like this, can we really walk with God and serve Christ? Can we really be happy?
So how can Paul say, “We do not lose heart”? By looking to God. In the perceived weakness of the gospel he sees God’s power to shine light in our hearts so we can see the glory of God in the face of Christ (v. 6). The gospel is not weak; it is the message God uses to awaken us to Christ.
In the obvious weakness of our humanity Paul sees God’s power. God uses us to contain and dispense the message of Jesus (v. 7). Paul sees that while this human body is wasting away, the inner self is being renewed and we are waiting for what will be new and glorious in eternity. Our humanity is weak, but God is preparing an eternal glory for us (v. 17).
For the next two weeks at Grace we will consider 2 Corinthians 4, the reasons we are tempted to lose heart, and the way God’s power keeps us confident in heart.
I encourage you to read 2 Corinthians 4 this weekend. I hope to see you Sunday.
– Scott