Yet...

“However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves….”

Humanity is frail- even the strongest person dies. Life is compared to a vapor Psalm 39:5 and the grass (Psalm 103:15-16). This present life on earth doesn’t last forever. However, because we are frail, the Light of the Gospel- God’s message of good news to everyone- can show through us. Then the “grandeur and exceeding greatness” that show through are obviously not from us- it is God’s power!

That is so wonderful! When I feel weak, or even when I feel strong, it is God’s power that can work through me- shinning out- that is the amazing thing seen. It’s not me.

“…We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies. For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death. Thus death is actively at work in us, but [it is in order that our] life [may be actively at work] in you. Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak, Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us [along] with you into His presence. For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God…”

The list of things at the beginning of this part doesn’t sound fun, does it? These are things we might normally try to avoid…pressure, trouble, oppression, embarrassment, being perplexed, being unable to find a way out, persecution, being struck down…not something many people would sign up for. But then look at the reason for all this…Paul, the writer here, says all these things are for the sake of the Corinthians, those he was writing to. Also, so that more of God’s favor and spiritual blessing could reach more and more people, and that thanksgiving to God will increase. His focus was not on himself as much as he focused on the benefit for those he was ministering to, those who still needed to be reached, and bringing glory to God.

How often do we get so concerned about the stresses in our own lives and consumed with thinking about ourselves. There are so many people who have not yet experienced or heard the Good News. Many people have never even had the chance to see the Light of the Gospel- because we haven't let that Light shine out of us. We are the light of the world when we have Jesus Christ inside us. (Matthew 5:14) He is the LIGHT, and we get to let it shine out of us! There are people who’ve never heard and never seen the Light of the Gospel all over the world- they could live next door to you, shop at the same places you do, or they could be on the other side of the world. Wherever they are, we can let the LIGHT shine to all we come in contact with.

“…Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Because we are doing everything for God’s glory and not focusing so much on what we are going through, we don’t become discouraged, exhausted, or wearied through fear. Yes, our physical bodies get older and wear out eventually, YET our inner self- spirit man- is being renewed every day. The things we see won’t last; it’s the unseen that will last. So, let’s look at the things that are unseen by our physical eyes, and let our light shine to everyone we are around (Matthew 5:16). Again, let's be more eternity minded, (more about that here).