All creatures of our God and King
Praise ye the Lord for it is good
My faith looks up to thee
I am thine oh Lord
O God of light, Thy word, Thy lamp unfailing
Chris is made a sure foundation
Laud and honour to the Father
Scripture : 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 text vv1-6
[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] 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. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you.
[13] Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, [14] knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. [15] For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
[16] 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.
(2 Corinthians 4 ESV)
We have this in our faith as well. We long to see others come to faith and they don't. They repeatedly reject him. We can lose heart.
This was a real danger for the Corinthians people as well.
Paul had to face this as well. In this passage he tells himself as well as the people why we should not lose heart.
We are not to
- Practice underhanded ways
- Practice cunning
- Tamper with God's word
What we are to do is this
- give an open statement of truth
- Realize it is only veiled for those who are perishing
- Know we are not promoting ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord
The problem is not the message. The problem is the hearts receiving it.
People an either follow the God of the bible or you can follow the devil. Those are the only two options. The devil actively discourages people from following God.
By nature all of us are perishing. Everyone would perish if left to ourselves. But Jesus came.
Don't lose heart.
God is the one who acts and works in hearts. Just like he worked in your and my heart.
It's all God's action.
It is not our doing. All we need to do is wait on God's work. Be true to the Lord and his calling on our life.
Just say the good news. Keep saying it.
People's response is not our responsibility. The rest is up to God.