Always Dying

2 Corinthians 4:8–11 (ESV) We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Following Jesus is easy if you don't actually do anything He wants you to do.

If you don't bother to share your faith, it's easy.
If you don't care about others, it's easy.
If you don't serve and minister to people who may disregard you and dismiss you, it's easy.
If you don't offend someone with the truth, it's easy.
If you don't give sacrificially of your resources and means to make an unseen but eternal difference in the kingdom or someone else's life, it's easy.
If you never let the Holy Spirit clean your house and repent of sin, it's easy.

You could also NOT be a Christian, but at least it's easy.

Paul makes it clear, to be an involved follower of Jesus Christ is going to mean dying the way Jesus died. And he's spot on here. Jesus told us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. I know there's going to be people on TV who will tell you that following Jesus will make your dreams come true, but they need to pay some seriously big bills. Watch out for them.

Again in 2 Corinthians Paul is doing something so many polished Televangelists and preachers rarely ever do. He's being honest about the pains of ministry. He's transparent and open. He's vulnerable to those he's led to faith.

But here - he tells us why he's being so honest about the frustrations and pains of ministry.  So that they may know the thing that keeps them going is the LIFE of Jesus!  The resurrection is the assurance that what we do for Christ is not in vain. There's going to be a great reward for those who give into that which is eternal.

I heard a preacher say it like this, "If you're holding on to this life all you're doing is shuffling furniture on the deck of the Titanic." The ship is going down. What are you preparing for?

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

We serve, we give, we do what Jesus did. It hurts, it's frustrating, it's hard and often times many people will disregard what you're doing. Welcome to the club.  But Paul said it clear, WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. We look to the unseen eternal reality of Christ's accepting word, "Well done good and faithful servant."  Turn off the world. Stop watching that parade of self indulgence. Give up your life to find it.

PRAYER:

Father, praise Your Name! Help me to look beyond what I see toward what I do not see. Thank you for the transparency of Paul in writing Your scripture so that I may not lose heart. Help me to invest in what matters. Give me a generous spirit.  Revive my heart toward what moves Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.