15 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.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:15-16
There are just a few days left in October. Only three days for me to write about “thankfulness” the chosen topic on my blog this month.
It is a topic I will return to again. I pray it has uplifted you as it has myself. You just can’t help but be thankful when focusing on being thankful. God bless you dear reader in this endeavour.
I am contemplating what to write about in November. I already have a few ideas. If you have something to recommend, let me know?
For today, October 25th, year 2023, we will focus in on 2 Corinthians 4:15-16.
Might I suggest reading the entire chapter to get a larger perspective on the topic? If you have already done your daily devotions and you can’t manage that, let me summarize the key thoughts here for you.
In context to the scripture outlined we see the apostles working hard in sincerity for God’s Kingdom, to pass on the good news of the gospel to others. They suffered and faced persecution at every turn. Yet they held onto the hope that is all of ours as Christians, God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ and eternal life.
Perhaps you think this is a dismal topic for a Wednesday morning?
I believe it is a hard topic we need to face as Christians. More and more, we are being silenced.
There has been a book called “Persecuted The Global Assault on Christians” in my “cart” on Amazon. After asking the LORD in prayer which verses to write about today, and being led to 2 Corinthians 4, I decided it was time to “order now.” It is not a topic I relish reading about, yet is necessary to be educated on. Eric Metaxas writes the “Forward” address.
In the chosen scripture for today verse fifteen teaches us these things were taking place for the sake of the Christians in the early Christian church. God’s grace extended to more and more people. It was multiplied and multiplied as it still is today. You just can’t squash the gospel of Jesus Christ. Try as you may.
As the saving grace of Christ reaches new believers then thankfulness increases and overflows as well.
In conclusion Paul writes, “though our outer man is decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self in bring progressively renewed day after day.” Though he suffered much under persecution, the Holy Spirit encouraged him to persevere, and his inner person was being “renewed” daily.
God will also uphold us no matter what we face. God will renew us too in the inner person as we face hardship and trials.
We are being renewed day by day through the Holy Spirit within.
Hold that thought and I will too.