BASIC SCRIPTURE TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL 9th April 2024
BASIC SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 4: 10 – 18
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
FINISH READING: Daily Manna Worldwide Devotional 9th April 2024
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:10-18 (NIV)
“10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
These verses from 2 Corinthians 4:10-18 offer profound insights into the Christian perspective on suffering, perseverance, and eternal hope.
In these verses, Paul speaks of the paradoxical nature of the Christian life. He acknowledges that as believers, they may face trials and hardships, even to the point of death. However, he also emphasizes the transformative power of these challenges. Just as Jesus’ death brought forth life, Paul sees their own sufferings as a means through which the life of Jesus is revealed in them.
Paul encourages believers not to lose heart despite the challenges they face. He reminds them that their temporary afflictions are achieving an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Instead of focusing on their present circumstances, Paul urges them to fix their eyes on the eternal truths of God’s promises.
Ultimately, these verses teach believers to embrace suffering as a means of experiencing the life of Jesus more fully and to find hope and perseverance in the assurance of God’s eternal glory.
