Keeping It Simple

Keeping It Simple: 2 Corinthians 4

Blessed

Over the past couple of years Jesus has had me spend lots of time in Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 4. When this happened I would ask Him, "Why there?" For these times and this chapter it has seemed that I have been in pain; both shoulders separately, a knee, a tooth, a foot. I believe that Jesus is encouraging me to "keep it simple, keep your focus on me and on us, on our relationship, on who we are, where we are, and where we are going!" (verse 18).

Mostly chapter 4 declares how blessed we (and the world) are that God has gotten hold of us and set us to work: "by the mercy of God we have this ministry" (verse 1). We are here to participate with Jesus in whatever He is doing on the Earth. Really, there is little else in life that is not peripheral. We are to "proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord" (verse 5) in everything we do and say. We are to be centred on Jesus; it is spiritual, and relational, and will change us, each one, from the inside. Our ministry will be costly to us, a sacrificial offering to Jesus and to the people He gives us to share with (verses 8-12).

Our side verge garden was desolate ..

This reminder of our true perspective is precious, it is so easy to get caught up in every-day life and to be smothered by complexity. Thankfully, my identity is in Jesus (Colossians 1:27), and my value as a man, brother, husband, father and grandfather flow from that; my joy in hugs and music, in nature, and as a cook and at meal times with family and friends, comes not from my years of learning and my skills but because Jesus has given me a place in the world. He has surrounded me with people and has nurtured me my whole life.

Encouraged

Paul adds: "therefore .. we do not lose heart" (verse 1). I ask, "what has this to do with that?" Then I see that, because Jesus has given us our "ministry", we have purpose in life, we are involved and kept busy doing something worth-while, we now have more than just intrinsic value. For most of my working life I did work I really enjoyed, I always grew in my jobs and, almost always, earned enough to keep body and soul together and to have a measure of dignity in my community. This was precious to me and made getting out of bed easy. Now that I no longer work at a paid job I still need the same encouragements; they now come from Jesus, my Abba Father and wonderful Holy Spirit, and from the people around me. I find that Paul's observation is true, I "do not lose heart". There is a promise in these words, that things will sometimes be tough, but we are equipped to get through, to persevere and grow; "you will receive what He has promised" (Romans 5:3-4, Hebrews 10:36, 2 Peter 1:4-8).

                                                         

Towards the end of chapter 4, (verses 15-16), Paul again writes "we do not lose heart", this time he is acknowledging the impact that our unique "ministry" has on others in the world, recognising that if we truly do what it is that Jesus asks of us, others will come to the truth of the Gospel and to a saving relationship with Jesus. Thus "grace extends to more and more people" and this will "cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God" (verse 15). Two reasons to "not lose heart"! Hallelujah!

but little by little we were given plants ..

Paul emphasises simplicity right through this chapter, and reminds us to be transparent, to be honest and straightforward and free in our dealings, to care for our conscience and to be true to God, whom we serve, to our born-again self, and to those we encounter (verse 2).

It was a great moment, years ago, when I realised that Jesus had included me into His team .. here He tells me, in Paul's lovely metaphor, that He, Jesus, is my "treasure", (not anything of me), and that I am a "jar made of clay" (verse 7), a simple vessel to hold this "treasure"; not fancy, not exclusive, but functional and workmanlike, and perhaps most of all, fragile; I need Jesus' careful handling in the bustle of life if I am not to be cracked or broken (verse 7). A beautiful image!

We think of Paul as a hero who, through his devotion to Jesus and great writing skills, has influenced so many over generation after generation. He had dedicated followers who assisted him in so many ways, and he was often honoured. But, so often in his letters, he tells us of his many and terrible hardships .. (Romans 8:36, Act 16:23, 2 Corinthians 6:4-5, 2 Corinthians 11:21-29)!

Paul reminds us in very plain language that the life of a follower of Jesus is rich and full, yet also often fraught with pain, difficulties and reversals. Even so we are able to persevere ".. afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed .." (verses 8-12). In these days we know this still to be true .. "jars of clay".

Paul was fragile yet he must also have been very tough, and so in love with Jesus that he was able to see past his troubles. He kept things simple.

For me, a big part of the simplicity of life is gratitude. Every day I look for Jesus' outpourings of grace (John 1:16) "For from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace". I am aware of being grateful most of the time .. this leads me to remembering that I am loved, particularly by my family and those near to me, but more especially by Jesus, and our Father and Holy Spirit, our counselor and comforter. Quite amazing really .. me ..

Veiled

Along the way Paul points out that not everyone is as blessed as we are. Sadly not everyone can "see" Jesus with spiritual eyes. Indeed the spirit of this world (1 Corinthians 2:12, Ephesians 2:2, 1 John 4:3) is at work in people to "veil" (verse 3-4) or block every aspect of the Gospel, and is keeping them in darkness (verse 6), in the negativity and sin, (our rebellion, disobedience and wickedness), that you and I used to know before we were set free.

My wife Trish and I have seen this in people; for a time Trish was talking to a lovely single mum about Jesus and life in Him, the woman was desperately unhappy and listened to what Trish shared but she could not see or hear. She could not let go of her worldview and accept Jesus as her Saviour and Lord. Trish and I came to understand that we were struggling against spiritual forces; sadly all our prayer and care seemed not to be enough.

The same inability-to-see appears to affect people who hold "politically correct" or atheist views; their positions are irrational and can easily be shown to be based on falsehoods, yet the people adhere like glue. These days I am asking Jesus about this .. how is it that "the weapons of our warfare" (2 Corinthians 10:4) seem to be so ineffective in this battle? And, how can we pray and speak to bring the light of Christ to these misguided ones, these who are doomed if they continue on their present path.

we filled the spaces and now it is so lovely!

Keeping It Simple?

So .. keeping it simple: Jesus has given us work especially for each one of us, "this ministry" (verse 1), and we will only make it through (verse 15) if we focus on Him (verse 18), as it is His work (verse 5). We are ordinary and fragile (verse 7), so are to rely on His strength (verse 10) and push through past our troubles (verses 8-9); we are being "renewed every day" (verse 16).

Although we are to "speak" (verse 13), "Jesus Christ as Lord" (verse 5), and "commend ourselves to everyone's conscience" (verse 2), so that "grace extends to more and more people" (verse 15), some will be "veiled" (verses 3-4), they will be unable to hear the gospel or see Jesus (John 12:21). But we will be able to continue and press on in "His life" (verse 11) and "not lose heart" (verses 1,16).

Bless us all. Amen.

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Praise Jesus.