2 Corinthians4v13to18: THEREFORE WE DO NOT LOSE HEART

Introduction. (Read the reference)

Some of my commentaries deal with this passage in a very complicated way so that is not easy to see the wood for the trees. My approach will be simpler without overlooking, I hope, the meaning of the text.

Paul in the preceding verses dealt with his remarkable endurance. He was knocked down but not knocked out. I can remember watching on BBC TV many years ago a remarkable innings by the cricketer, Brian Close. It was 1963 and Close faced that ferocious duo, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. I can recall him taking one horrendous blow after another to the body. He never flinched. He certainly never called for the physio! He persevered! Brian Close had Yorkshire grit!

Billy Sunday the baseball evangelist was made of he same stuff. He never spared himself in his attacks against sin. He thundered against evil from the Gay Nineties through the Great Depression. He preached Christ as the only answer to man’s needs until his death in 1935. “I’m against sin,” he said. “I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, and I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist. I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head. I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. When I’m old and fistless and footless and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition.”

The same spirit was shown by an American preacher who said to his congregation: "We must wake up, sing up, preach up, pray up, stay up, pay up, but never give up or let up or back up or shut up until the cause of Christ in this church and in the world is built up.”

In the final verses of 2Cor4 Paul explores the secret of his endurance. He explains how it is that in spite of many troubles and much distress he does not lose heart. The apostle's ability to endure resided in his belief in God. There are six things he believed about God. He believed in the:

(1) Goodness of God. It is written: "I believed, therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we believe and therefore speak. v13.

Paul quotes from Psalm 116. The writer of this psalm certainly experienced trouble: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Ps116v3and4. But God was gracious, righteous and compassionate and helped the psalmist: The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. v6and7. The goodness of God encouraged him to cry out for help in the future: How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Paul, too, had experienced God's goodness particularly when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and saved him. So he was encouraged to ask for all needed help and to recommend Christ's so great salvation to others.

A good man is one you can rely upon. He will always help if he can even if it is at his own expense.

So what is it that keeps us from depending upon a good man for help? The answer must be either lack of faith or pride or both.

When old Jacob died Joseph's brothers showed a sad lack of faith in him. They said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" But Joseph was a good man. He said to his distrustful brothers: "Don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Gen50v15to21.

Young David realised that he had a good shepherd. He wrote the words all Christians know and love: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

In his book, "A Turtle on the Fencepost", Allen C. Emery tells of the night he spent on the Texas plains with a shepherd who was keeping two thousand sheep. The shepherd prepared a bonfire for cooking supper and providing warmth. The sheep dogs lay down near the fire as the stars filled the sky.

Suddenly Emery heard the unmistakable wail of a coyote with an answering call from the other side of the range. The dogs weren’t patrolling at the moment, and the coyotes seemed to know it. Rising quickly, the shepherd tossed some logs on the fire. When Emery looked out at the sheep he saw thousands of little lights.

Emery writes, "I realized that these were reflections of the fire in the eyes of the sheep. In the midst of danger, the sheep were not looking out into the darkness, but were keeping their eyes set toward the shepherd."

This is the policy Paul adopted and one every Christian must follow who wants to endure and not lose heart.

(2) Purpose of God. We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. v14.

Thirty-year-old staff Sgt Olaf Schmid worked in bomb disposal in Afghanistan. He defused 64 roadside bombs in five months. On the day before he was due to return home on leave Sgt Schmid was defusing his 65th explosive device when it blew up and killed him. Olaf Schmid was awarded a posthumous George Cross for gallantry. His wife received it from the Queen on his behalf. What a terrible irony. His friends and family were at the ceremony. The Head of State was there. But Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid was missing. He never got the reward he so richly deserved.

Paul knew without a shadow of doubt that if he died in service his medal would not be awarded posthumously! The day would come when God would raise him up - along with all his brothers and sisters in Christ - to present him to his great Commander in Chief for his reward. Such is the sovereign will and purpose of God. Jesus suffered, bled and died to redeem for himself a people as numerous as the sand upon the sea shore. God will raise them up at the last to present them to Jesus as his holy bride.

The Strait of Gibraltar is the strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. On either side of the Strait of Gibraltar there are two mountains, which were known in ancient times as the Pillars of Hercules. According to Greek mythology, Hercules built these pillars to mark the edge of the world. Remember that in those days people believed that the earth was flat. The pillars bore the warning, "No More Beyond," cautioning sailors to go no further.

But in 1492 Christopher Columbus destroyed the belief that there was "No More Beyond" when he sailed far out into the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the New World. In the town where the explorer died, there stands a monument commemorating him. On this monument there is a statue of a lion. The lion's paw is tearing away the word "No" from the phrase "No More Beyond," making it read "More Beyond." Columbus had proven that there was "More Beyond."

Many people think there is 'No More Beyond,' - no life beyond this one. A very common expression in England is, "You had better make the most of this life because you only live once." I am afraid this might well be true for all who live by this principle. But the Lion of Judah has ripped away the "No" from the popular notion of "No More Beyond." A new life will dawn for all those who believe in Jesus. He has conquered death and those that trust in him will conquer it too. We shall quite literally discover the New World.

A strong belief in God's design for believers undoubtedly helped Paul and has helped many other Christians to risk all for the gospel's sake. I think we should sing John Bunyan's old hymn more often:

            Since, Lord, Thou dost defend
            Us with Thy Spirit,
            We know we at the end
            Shall life inherit.
            Then fancies flee away!
            I'll not fear what men say,
            I'll labour night and day
            To be a pilgrim.

(3) Blessing of God. 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. Therefore we do not lose heart. v15.

During my many years as a schoolteacher there were times I got very tired and not a little dispirited. However, along with many other teachers, I was helped to carry on by tangible signs of success. Perhaps a pupil who for many months showed little enthusiasm or aptitude for my subject suddenly began to take an interest and to work hard or maybe a set of exam results exceeded all expectations. With evidence of success we take new heart.

The American painter, John Sargent, once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. Although offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it. He considered it his best work and was very proud of it. Whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him.

Paul knew that his ministry, notwithstanding the suffering it brought, was blessed by God to save sinners. He witnessed the increasing number of men and women thankful to God for their salvation. When he felt a bit low he could meditate upon what the gospel had accomplished through him. He was the instrument God used to bring many sons to glory.

Chuck Colson said, “There are men and women in the body of Christ who may not be called to full-time evangelism, but who are gifted in winning others to Christ. Art DeMoss, insurance company founder, was such a one.

When Art and his family travelled by air, they often did not sit together. Scattered through the plane, the children would witness to their seatmates. Art himself would engage anyone and everyone in conversation, and before long he would have shared his own testimony, often leading the person to Christ. Of all the people I’ve known in my life, he was the best in such one-on-one encounters.

At Art’s memorial service in 1979 the pastor asked those who had come to Christ through Art’s ministry to stand. Throughout that packed congregation, men and women rose to their feet. What a legacy!”

I suppose there were times when Art DeMoss was rebuffed or listened to with polite disdain but he knew that God had blessed his ministry and this meant he did not lose heart but kept witnessing for Christ.

It is much harder to keep going when no or very few conversions occur. This has been true during the last 40 years in many Grace Baptist churches in Suffolk. A big effort has been made to challenge boys and girls with the gospel but the response has been very disappointing. Christian workers may not have been persecuted but the lack of success has proved intensely debilitating.

(4) Provision of God. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Anyone trying to achieve a goal that involves intense physical, mental or emotional effort needs to be renewed if they are to attain it.

An athlete training for the Olympic games will have to make sacrifices. Many leisure and social activities will have to be forgone. Training may be arduous and even boring. Perhaps, longed for improvements in performance are slow coming. If the athlete is to succeed he or she will need to be renewed day by day.

The same could be said of a company of soldiers engaged in a military campaign. As time passes less and less will matter to these soldiers. Life becomes simpler and simpler. Winning the battle and overcoming the enemy becomes everything. But soldiers no less than athletes need to be renewed day by day.

There are at least four things that sustain an athlete and a soldier: good leadership, a sensible diet, the camaraderie of others sharing the same experience and words of encouragement.

The apostle Paul was renewed as he fed on the word of God and through fellowship with God in prayer and his fellow Christians in worship. We know, too, that he often took heart as his fellow Christians encouraged him. He writes later in his second epistle to the Corinthians: But God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 2Cor7v6and7.

We should never, never underestimate the renewing power of encouragement. Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out -- a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's father thought that was a poor showing. But his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures. Her encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the scales? The vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. From: Bits & Pieces, February 4, 1993, pp. 4-5.

Encouragement is something we all need from time to time and it is something we can all give. I like the letter that Billa Harrod wrote to John Betjeman in the sadness of his sick, depressed last days from her village in Norfolk, after a visit to see him in Chelsea:

You've always had guilt, which is I suppose a sort of fear; you shouldn't have it now; you really are the tops - much more than you can know; you only know the official rather public, Londony side; but I know how you are regarded all over England by quite simple people who may, but not necessarily, have seen you on telly - but they've heard of you and somehow your very extraordinary personality has come across and is now part of folk-lore. I really mean this ..... .

I am very grateful to all those who write me a few words of appreciation for this website - it renews me and keeps me going when otherwise my enthusiasm might flag.

(5) Reward of God. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. v17.

I suppose it must be over thirty years ago now when I was teaching at the County Upper School in Bury St Edmunds that the rather plump, very youthful, P.E. master, Tim Hutton, proposed to walk 40 miles non-stop in mountainous terrain for charity. I expressed my extreme scepticism on his ability to finish the course. His weight counted against him! So confident was I of his lack of staying power that I bet him £5 that he wouldn't complete the walk. All those years ago £5 wasn't to be sneezed at. I shall never forget his face on Monday morning when he limped into the staff room with his hand outstretched. Tim Hutton experienced extreme agony hobbling on blistered feet as he finished his long trek but he was sustained by the hope of winning the bet and claiming his prize.

Many people will endure considerable hardship if they have a strong hope of a substantial reward. Medical students put in hours and hours of study to qualify as doctors. A boxer will undergo a punishing schedule in preparation for a title fight. A budding entrepreneur works all the hours God gives in order to build up a business.

Paul believed his eventual reward would be so glorious that in comparison his troubles were light and momentary. There is no doubt the hope of winning a crown of righteousness powerfully motivated Paul. See 1Cor9v24to27, Phil3v14 and 2Tim4v8.

On occasions we lose sight of the prize. At such times we can lose heart. I like this story found on the Internet:

A retiring missionary was coming home to America after many years of serving the Lord in Africa. He was on the same ship as the president of the United States. There were a cheering crowd, a military band, a red carpet, banners and the media welcoming the president. The missionary was not able to get off the ship until the president had made his grand exit. No one paid attention to or noticed him. Feeling self-pity and resentment, he began complaining to God. He had worked so hard and gone through so much, but no one gave him any words of appreciation. Then God gently reminded him, “But my child, you’re not home yet.”

(6) The reality of God. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Nothing more clearly marks the difference between a Christian and the unbeliever than this attitude of Paul. For the non-Christian what is seen is real and what is unseen is unreal.

Even Christians find it difficult to share Paul's belief. The present is undoubtedly real - our present pain or pleasure gets all our attention. It is the future that is unreal because the future remains to be experienced.

Present pain must have tempted Tim Hutton to give up walking. Present failure discourages the scholar or musician. Present debt worries the budding entrepreneur.

It is only by faith - being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see - that a man endures and overcomes obstacles and difficulties.

Paul knew that the ultimate reality was not the things of this world - fame, fortune, comfort - but God. Earthly wealth, celebrity and power may seem important but they are all temporary. God is eternal and he promises to share his life - eternal life - with all those who live by faith in Jesus. This life is transitory but life eternal is forever.

            When all my labours and trials are o'er
            And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
            Just to be near the dear Lord I adore,
            Will through the ages be glory for me.

ANY COMMENTS FOR JOHN REED: E-mail jfmreed@talktalk.net

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