Paul writes:
For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress which befell us in [the province of] Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself].
Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead. (II Corinthians 1:8-9 AMP)
To receive severe punishment so detrimental, that you favor death over life can make those who are not deeply rooted in the word say; "I'm done! This is not worth it"! So Paul said, (summed up in my own words) since our Savior shed His blood for me, I can endure this temporary pain in my body; because I know I will receive a new body in Heaven that will never know pain or suffering - but Joy Everlasting! (II Corinthians 5:4-8 AMP)
Think about it; every time Paul set out to preach and teach, he faced oppression, beatings, and severe rejection that many times led him to be imprisoned (beaten with wooden whips, stoned [and left for dead at times], mobbed, lied on, fleeing cities because many were plotting to kill him) and in all of this; Paul stood firm in his conviction! THAT'S POWERFUL!
Paul also writes:
But I call upon God as my soul’s witness: it was to avoid hurting you that I refrained from coming to Corinth—
Not that we have dominion [over you] and lord it over your faith, but [rather that we work with you as] fellow laborers [to promote] your joy, for in [your] faith ([in your strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God) you stand firm. (II Corinthians 1:23-24 AMP)
Does any of this sound familiar? It should; because Jesus endured this and much more; yet even when he was accused, he said not a word! (Matthew 27:12)
No comments:
Post a Comment