14 day plan

Heroes of the Faith. Examples to Follow

Day 9 of 14

NIV

2 Corinthians 4:6

6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Reflection:  John Owen, Thomas Watson, Richard Sibbes and many more…

I was in the Koorong bookshop in West Ryde, Sydney, and I came across a number Puritan Paperbacks. These are short books written by mainly English local church ministers way back in the 17th century. They lived in a time of great upheaval in the politics of nations to the point of civil violence, even civil war, and of division and conflict within the church, including the politicisation of religion. Is this not reminiscent of the times we also live in?

The response of many Puritans (and as a sidenote, I find it sad that the word Puritan has been twisted to mean narrow minded) was to teach the full gospel of grace and truth. They then practically lived this out in the care for their parishioners, even in the face of spiritual persecution. Thankfully many of their writings and sermons have been preserved for our benefit. Their writings and faithful lives offer examples for us to follow, as we face similar social and spiritual trials. We can learn so much from those who have gone before us.

“From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit’s assistance we can bear the greatest.” ― Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed

Prayer:  Dear Lord, we thank you for that you have called us to this time in history to be your witnesses to those around us and across the world. We thank you for the “cloud of witnesses that inspire us” (Hebrews 12). Grant us strength, hope and joy in serving you.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

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2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For 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. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14because 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. 15All 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.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So 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.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.