"For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifest in our mortal flesh." (2 Corinthians 4:11)
The Amplified says, "For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]." It seems to me that there is a "physical" and a "spiritual" aspect of this text. There is no doubt that the Followers of Jesus during those first three centuries were constantly facing, "being handed over to death for Jesus' sake." Moreover, most Followers of Jesus around the Globe today are still, "[experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake."
There is no doubt, however, that while there was and is the aspect that you and I still face the "physical" possibility, the "spiritual" reality of our text is nonetheless still integral in our life in Jesus. There is always something in you and me which rears up to show something other than, "....the life of Jesus...manifest in our mortal flesh." And you and I can be assured that as long as we are in this body, there will be continual "deliver[ings] to death for Jesus' sake,.." of all in us which attempts to rival the full revelation of Jesus in and through us to a world in darkness.
Maybe this is the reason for confusion, disappointment, maybe the temptation to just quit in so many today. Many cannot understand why our Lord Jesus has frustrated so many plans, desires, prayers, dreams. Yet it could be that in all of our desires there is much need for, "....delivered to death for Jesus' sake...." While there is so much in us which bulks at this, it is still imperative that we participate in the "process," that is, if we really do desire, "....that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I know I have resisted this too much in my life. Help me, Holy Spirit, to embrace what You do. Amen.
The Amplified says, "For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]." It seems to me that there is a "physical" and a "spiritual" aspect of this text. There is no doubt that the Followers of Jesus during those first three centuries were constantly facing, "being handed over to death for Jesus' sake." Moreover, most Followers of Jesus around the Globe today are still, "[experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake."
There is no doubt, however, that while there was and is the aspect that you and I still face the "physical" possibility, the "spiritual" reality of our text is nonetheless still integral in our life in Jesus. There is always something in you and me which rears up to show something other than, "....the life of Jesus...manifest in our mortal flesh." And you and I can be assured that as long as we are in this body, there will be continual "deliver[ings] to death for Jesus' sake,.." of all in us which attempts to rival the full revelation of Jesus in and through us to a world in darkness.
Maybe this is the reason for confusion, disappointment, maybe the temptation to just quit in so many today. Many cannot understand why our Lord Jesus has frustrated so many plans, desires, prayers, dreams. Yet it could be that in all of our desires there is much need for, "....delivered to death for Jesus' sake...." While there is so much in us which bulks at this, it is still imperative that we participate in the "process," that is, if we really do desire, "....that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I know I have resisted this too much in my life. Help me, Holy Spirit, to embrace what You do. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
