Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (II Corinthians 4:1-2)
Paul explained in the previous lesson that this ministry the apostles and disciples had was the gospel, which they had shared with the church in Corinth, and all churches; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (II Corinthians 3:3) Because spreading the gospel was so important, based on how it changed peoples lives, even though the apostles and disciples suffered much tribulation and sufferings, they did not lose heart.
Paul went on to say that because of how important this ministry was to them, they didn't do anything in secret that they wouldn't do in the open. Instead, they renounced the hidden things of shame. They did not play with the Word of God, they did not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully. Instead, by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. God knows our true motivation because God knows our heart; For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (I John 3:20-21)
Paul explained in the previous lesson that this ministry the apostles and disciples had was the gospel, which they had shared with the church in Corinth, and all churches; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (II Corinthians 3:3) Because spreading the gospel was so important, based on how it changed peoples lives, even though the apostles and disciples suffered much tribulation and sufferings, they did not lose heart.
Paul went on to say that because of how important this ministry was to them, they didn't do anything in secret that they wouldn't do in the open. Instead, they renounced the hidden things of shame. They did not play with the Word of God, they did not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully. Instead, by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. God knows our true motivation because God knows our heart; For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (I John 3:20-21)
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (II Corinthians 4:3-6)
In the previous lesson, Paul explained, But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:15-17) God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4) But not all will because of the god of this age, ...according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians 2:9-12)
God has revealed Himself to ALL men, first through His creation (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-22), and then through His Word; And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) And this gospel has spread throughout the world, from the time of Noah to today, which gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The fact that God would use His creation, mankind, to spread this gospel that leads to saving knowledge through faith in Christ Jesus, is miraculous in itself.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. (II Corinthians 4:7-12)
Unfortunately, the god of this world hates God so much that he tries to kill the messengers because of the message. But just as Paul and the other apostles and disciples didn't give up, even though they were hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, we can't give up either. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”[Psalm 116:10] we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 4:13-15)
We are not to lose sight of our ultimate goal, to lead as many people as we can to saving knowledge through faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:16-18)
We have to see our life on this side of eternity the way Christ Jesus did. Therefore we also,... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:1-4) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)
In the previous lesson, Paul explained, But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:15-17) God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4) But not all will because of the god of this age, ...according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians 2:9-12)
God has revealed Himself to ALL men, first through His creation (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-22), and then through His Word; And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) And this gospel has spread throughout the world, from the time of Noah to today, which gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The fact that God would use His creation, mankind, to spread this gospel that leads to saving knowledge through faith in Christ Jesus, is miraculous in itself.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. (II Corinthians 4:7-12)
Unfortunately, the god of this world hates God so much that he tries to kill the messengers because of the message. But just as Paul and the other apostles and disciples didn't give up, even though they were hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, we can't give up either. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”[Psalm 116:10] we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 4:13-15)
We are not to lose sight of our ultimate goal, to lead as many people as we can to saving knowledge through faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:16-18)
We have to see our life on this side of eternity the way Christ Jesus did. Therefore we also,... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:1-4) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)
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