2 Corinthians 4 reminds me of a recent shed project. The old building was showing its age and needed a new roof and paint job. I was tempted to cut corners by convincing myself it is just a shed. I realized that doing things the right way will keep it strong for years. It looks better, but more importantly the inside is dry and strong. Today’s lesson is about a proper remodel. Paul begins, “Therefore… through God’s mercy… we do not lose heart”. This is a summary statement from the prior chapter. A Spirit led believer is more personally accountable. A contractor must meet code, but an owner cares about the bigger purpose. Paul taught that Christians should “renounced secret and shameful ways”. Any time we convince ourselves that God does not care about an area of our life we fall into a trap. He adds a straight edge, “we do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God”. This is not directed strictly at Pastors. Justifying rotten actions by twisting God’s Word is way too common. Paul says that we can add a level of safety by “by setting forth the truth plainly”. Cherry picking parts of scripture or using archaic translations to justify our sin denies God’s authority.
Paul continues with the results of continued neglect. He says the gospel is “veiled to those who are perishing”. God does not hide His truth from anyone, but, “The 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”. The Bible teaches self-discipline, self-sacrifice and eternal hope. The god of this age rejects standards, blames others, and leads to self-destruction. Paul says, we preach “Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake”. Blaming others only delays any self-improvement. Is it time to cut out some decay?
The chapter closes with a closer look at renewal. “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us”. Though we live exposed to the elements we are “not crushed… not in despair… not abandoned… not destroyed”. In fact, “His life” is “revealed in our mortal body”. We may show some wear and tear, but “we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us… to Himself”. Some people live their lives completely focused on the exterior appearance. Time eventually weathers us all. Paul explains, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”. The purpose of the shed is to protect the valuable contents, “Therefore we do not lose heart”. When we have an eternal perspective, the physical breakdowns become “light and momentary troubles”. My friend, if you are discouraged, perhaps it is time to change your focus to those things that will last. God always rebuilds from the inside-out. Paul concludes, “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.” God never abandons, never cuts corners and never considers us to be unimportant. He desires to rebuild us even stronger, for His bigger purpose.