The Power is of God and Not Us (2 Cor 4:3-5:1)

“For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Cor 4:6-7).

We have the gospel in fragile vessels, so that God may be glorified in saving us.  It is NOT a teaching of self-strength; the gospel declares a God who saves sinners and does everything by His power.

First, we have learned Christ by the power of God who shined light into our darkness. In the beginning, just as He created the heaven and the earth, He created us anew in regeneration, forming us into His children.  He caused the light of knowledge to shine, so that we know God. 

Satan had us bound by lies, thinking God was appeased by our efforts, though stained with sin.  We say, “It is the best I can do”, and we expect God to accept it, though it is vile and unthinkably below Him (Mal 1:7-8).  Yet, God REVEALS the law is so strict that my sins deserve death, and there is nothing I can do to honor God who demands perfection.  And, then, BLESS His holy name!  He shows the glory of His Son’s blood, as He died for us, taking away our sins, and earning heaven predestined unto us. He reveals Christ being GRACIOUS to sinners and giving men eternal life for their sins (Is 61:3).  2 Cor 4:3-5 says, “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“.

Secondly, having learned the gospel, we keep learning it by trouble.  The problems of today cast us down, but not out.  They destroy SELF-confidence, but they lead us to a faithful God who saves us freely and miraculously.  I must see myself WEAK, so I can see how strong He is, so that I praise Him heartily, instead of taking His name in vain, saying “right things” from a spirit of flesh.  No, He conquers us and shines this light upon hearts TROUBLED with pain, broken with woe, and grieving the impact of sin - “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.  And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,‘ we also believe and therefore speak”  (vs8-13).

God makes us see His graciousness, even as He came to the disciples when they were in the storm. He walks upon the storm of our trials, having full omnipotence and absolute control over them. And, He speaks peace to us, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Mark 6:50).  He receives us freely, so we receive Him.  Then, we taste the power of peace, worship Him from the heart, and tell of His greatness SINCERELY (2 Cor 4:13).  The power of the fleshly confidence is broken for the song of heartfelt praise.

Third, God reveals that we’re SAVED to save others.  We’ve endured and been comforted to comfort others by the comfort that we’ve received.  Now, we’re better able to SERVE by the tears, and service - making us like Christ - is pleasing to God, honors His glory as many are saved, and brings us and many to peace - “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” (vs14-15).

Lastly, look, Oh child of God, at the promises of heaven, and keep yourself in God’s love, rather than pondering your woes unduly. Keep eyes on the promises, the wealth of the invisible God bequeathed to you by blood, and the heavenly hope will outweigh the grief of the light and temporary affliction - “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.  For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens“ (2 Cor 4:16-5:1).

Compared to what you have in Christ, what you must weep over now is small and short-lived. You will be in heaven, and your current tears are strengthening your witness, improving your prayers, and transforming you into someone who can help others abide in God’s love also.

One of the greatest people I’ve ever met, Linda Stalnaker, was dying of cancer when we met, only to pass a couple of months later.  She had been a rock in her home, and by the way that she died - obtaining mercy, day by day, to live honorable and glorifying to God in her witness - was used to strengthen many.  This woman’s four children all came to faith in Christ AFTER she passed away.  I’ve spoken to one or two who said, “We leaned on her so much, that after she was gone, we knew we needed God.  She wasn’t there.”  Thus, God made her an example in death, and made her a witness to Christ by her absence, helping her family by tears she didn’t want to shed and a grave she would have chosen to postpone.

“Glorify God” (Rom 14:19-15:7)

“Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (vs7).

The Lord laid down His life to save us from sin, loving us unto the end, and we’re to LOVE each other as the result, glorifying God - “Now the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded, one toward another, according to Christ Jesus: that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ“(Rom 15:5-6).

God isn’t magnified and made great by selfishness and bitterness among saints, but we must do all that we can to encourage and walk in peace - “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another“ (Rom 14:19).  We must love each other in spite of petty differences, and we must compromise, giving up our rights, if it offends weaker brethren by what we eat or drink - “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure: but it is evil for that man who eats with offense.  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak” (Rom 14:20-21).

We are free and loved, but SHOW this by temperance and love for each other - “You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right“ (vs22).  If others are offended, abstain in their presence. Enjoy it with God alone or around the like-minded.

We are to serve others, even if it means giving up some freedom to eat and drink because serving others is more important than serving ourselves - “When then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.  For even Christ pleased not Himself: but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached You fell on Me.  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we though patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope“ (Rom 15:1-4). We actually sin in our intemperance, even as believers sin whenever eating or doing something against their conscience - “And he that doubts is condemned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin“ (Rom 14:23).  Let us not offend God by sin in either case, either by selfishly not caring about brethren, or by eating things forbidden in the conscience, just because others do.

By love, demonstrate your maturity, and let us strive together, by love, to honor God.

Many say, “Glorify God, preacher”, but they don’t know they can glorify God by simply loving brethren who differ on frivolities: it isn’t doctrinal preaching but a doctrinal life and doctrinal preaching that He accepts - “Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Rom 15:7).

Let us demonstrate our love in thankfulness to God who saves us from sin.

Beautiful, Comely, and Terrible (Song 6:2-7)

“You are beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners” (vs4)

Faith grabs the Lord’s heart. He wants us to SEE that He has been conquered in love. Even as He LOVED us to our rejoicing, now, our love, in spite of His hard “no answers”, is enough to compel His heart.

He says, “O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you will.  And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matt 15:28): God sees the faith of sinners under the conviction of sin, and for us to BELIEVE on Him, though we’re vile, is BEAUTIFUL in His sight - for the sinner to trust the Lord for mercy, when he’s sinful to the core. 

This glory of DEPENDENCE and faith gives glory to God, believing that what He’s promised, though grand, He shall do… that though Abraham can’t have any children, he’ll have them as the stars of heaven and the sand of the sea - “faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform“ (Rom 4:20-21).  This faith pleases God, and He rewards it, as promised.

“Your Teeth” (vs6)

You receive the word of God, even the rebukes, even when joy is absent. You aren’t a fair weather fan, but you believe through thick and thin. He is your only hope truly.

Be encouraged that it’s seen by God.  He doesn’t disregard your faith, labor, love, and patience; He counts your afflictions and trials to be graciously and beautifully endured.

Fruitful Knowledge (vs7)

Your knowledge is FRUITFUL; it isn’t the dead knowledge of, “He is gone, so I am too”, but it is the gift of love for Christ, so that you’ve heard, believed, and glorified God by waiting patiently on His promise.

The life of FAITH is similar to the trial of faith, in that we WAIT for what we really want, because it isn’t heaven down here.  We wait because He is faithful, and we get power the world cannot know to resist sin, failures, doubts, and grief. He saves us to GLORIFY Himself, as He has said.

Notice that the Lord commends us the same as He did in previous chapters, except now, we see our SINFULNESS more clearly, so we behold Him more distinctly from the pit.  In chapter two, we say, “My beloved is mine, and I am his”, as we know that we have Him.  In chapter 6:3, we say, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine”, so that we see Him holding us, even when our grip is weak and we have rebelled against Him willingly.  When we are unfaithful and know it: we see His faithfulness.  Our sins have taught us lessons of the grace of God, and whether I’m communing and enjoying Christ or seeking Him sorrowing, my faith is BEAUTIFUL and submission is pure.

“But One” (Song 6:8-9)

The Lord sees the uniqueness of the church: we are the one He loves, and we are the one that loves Him.  There is none like the church, and He takes SERIOUSLY what the scripture calls true praiseworthiness in a woman. Prov 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised”, and the Lord sees us FEARING Him and loving Him, even after shutting the door and refusing Him fellowship (Song 5:3).  The Lord sees the BEST of us, sees the new man’s love, and He commends us for it.

Be thankful that while you’re vile and wicked, you are also holy and good. You have JUSTIFICATION and sanctification, good works and good standing. You have faith, which PLEASES and glorifies God above all else in this world. Don’t ever think the Lord doesn’t observe you.  He sees your beauty, is pleased with your person and work, and He shall reward you openly, first with comforting words, then fruit, then heaven.