FOCUS Day Forty-Three | 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
DAY FORTY-THREE | 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
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. 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.
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.
Manifested Life
The power of the gospel is truly unfathomable. As we have looked at the stories, sermons, and sayings from the life of Jesus, it is overwhelming for me to think about how good the good news really is. I understand more of the sentiment from the very last statement in the book of John, where it says that even the world itself could not contain all the books that would be written about every good thing that Jesus said and did.
As we look at the life of Christ through the lens of Paul sharing this letter with the Corinthians, it is important to highlight that he starts out this passage by using the word Therefore. I once had a professor that told us to make sure that when we read the word therefore, that we stop and examine what that word is there for.
Therefore is typically used when the writer is going to build upon something they have previously said. With that in mind, I think before we dive into the beauty of this passage, we should remember what Paul had just said at the end of chapter 3. On the last few verses, Paul talks about the freedom that we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit. He then goes on to describe the way that we are transformed by glory when we look at Jesus.
These statements are so stunning, that sometimes they are hard to really believe. I want to, but to be honest, I often do not know what to think of such incredible claims. They almost seem too good to be true, but they really are true. They are a part of the God-breathed Word that He has graciously given to us.
As we move into the therefore of chapter four, Paul preaches hope, encouraging the believers not to lose heart. He then immediately pivots to calling for purity and sanctification. As I was reading the first few verses of this chapter, it reminded me of 1 John 3, where the beloved disciple connects God’s unfathomable love and hope to purity. Listen to the first three verses of the chapter.
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
This is an incredible promise. We know that when he is revealed, we will be like Him! This sounds like what Paul said in Second Corinthians chapter 3. As we behold Him, and we see Him for who He is, we are changed from glory to glory to become more like Him.
And everyone who has this hope, purifies himself.
Oh, do we need to live by that hope! Knowing that the God of the universe wants to reveal Himself to us and invite us to become like Him. This is one of the great mysteries of scripture. We know that there is no one like Him on heaven or earth, but we are called to be like Him.
I would submit to you that this is why it is so important for us to turn our attention to the face of Jesus. We know that the veil is taken away, and we are more free to see Him clearly, as we turn our attention and affection upon Him. This is what we were made for. In Psalm 27, we learned that it was God’s idea that we seek His face.
But what can we do to make revelation happen?
The word revelation used to scare me. I heard people use it in a way that made me think that revelation was some new knowledge or information that had never existed before. But that is not the heart of revelation. No, revelation means that the light is turned on and you can see what is there.
In this passage in 2nd Corinthians 4, Paul reminds us that it is God that commanded light to shine out of darkness. He has given us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God In the face of Jesus.
This is incredible. He invites us to seek His face. Then He gives us the light to be able to see His glory in the face of Jesus… who He tells us to seek.
His heart towards us is perfect. He wants to give us freedom, love and the fullness of His glory. He has flooded us with the good news about Jesus and invited us to lock eyes with Him, promising to transform us and make us like Jesus as we look at Him.
This makes me think of the incredible imagery of Revelation chapter 1.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last…”
And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
Can you imagine encountering Jesus like this? Sometimes when I meditate on this passage, I think how beautiful and amazing it is. Other times I am frightened even at the thought of what John described. Evidently he was too.
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
What is most striking to me about this passage is what comes toward the end of Revelation chapter 1, where John records that Jesus was standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands, which represents the church. How would you even be able to see the lampstands in the presence of One who’s face shines like the sun? Could you even acknowledge the lesser light, in the light of the One whose eyes shines like fire?
But this is beautiful, because even Jesus revealed in His majesty and glory, chooses to be placed in the midst of His people. This is in line with the end of our passage from Second Corinthians 4, where we find out that we have shared in the death of Jesus, so that we can share in His life, making it known to those around us. This is the majesty of the gospel, that we are invited into His death, burial, and resurrection so that we can be free, changed by His glory to become like Him, pitting His life on display.
I pray that you would have the courage to believe this good news. All of it! I pray that you would have the courage to continue to seek the face of the Lord, locking eyes with Him and knowing that in the light of His face we can truly know and experience the glory of God. And I pray that as you are transformed from glory to glory, that you would carry the conviction in your heart to put the life of Jesus on display everywhere you go.
As I have been writing, I can’t help but think of the old song written by Keith Green. I encourage you to read and meditate on these lyrics. Blessings.
Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me
Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clean
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear
I want to take your word and shine it all around
But first help me to just, live it Lord
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to you
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