March 21st, Saturday: 2 Corinthians 4 - 5

2 Cor 4

The glory of salvation.

Unlike the legalist who have invaded the church, Paul had nothing to hide.

The Jewish religious system veiled the Gospel.

But Paul sought to reveal the Gospel.

The image is taken from Genesis 1 and transferred from the old creation to the new creation.

The glory of service.

Paul paid a price for his ministry.

But the legalist went about collecting honours.

We are vessels.

The treasure of the gospel life within is important.

As vessels we must be clean and available for his use.

The glory of suffering.

Jesus suffered and turned that into glory.

By faith we can do the same thing.

It's not wrong to care for the outward person, so long that you recognize that it's perishing.

Concentrate on the inner person.

It's the invisible that is imperishable.

The best is yet to come!

2 Cor 5

We know!

This building is our new body that we'll receive when we see the Lord – because God saves the whole person.

We know that.

And then we groan.

Creation is groaning and God's people also groan – yearning for the Lord Jesus to come again.

We do not want to die and leave our 'houses.'

We want these bodies to be clothed with the glory of God from heaven.

Paul longed to see Jesus come in his lifetime.

And we're confident.

God's Word gives us the truth about death and beyond.

And God's Spirit guarantees God's children will go to heaven.

We claim this by faith and walk with confidence.

And what peace it gives!

And we aim to please Him.

Paul's spiritual motivation for service include the judgment seat of Christ, the love Christ, the power of the Gospel and the Commission of the Lord.

So the question for you and me – 'What motivate us to do His will?'