Saturday, December 29, 2007

I'm Waiting For Jesus

2 Corinthians 4:12
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

This chapter, and the one previous, deals with the difficulties of being in the ministry. Paul was accused and misjudged in Corinth and much of what he writes - especially in 2 Corinthians addresses that.

Gill says of this verse, "...his meaning is, ours is the sorrow, the trouble, the affliction, and death itself, yours is the gain, the joy, the pleasure, and life; what we get by preaching the Gospel are reproach, persecution, and death; but this Gospel we preach at such expense is the savor of life unto life to you, and is the means of maintaining spiritual life in your souls, and of nourishing you up unto eternal life;..." [1]

What would be the reward to the Apostle for such an exchange? Paul answers that in 2 Corinthians 4:14
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

The reward is actually the souls of these Paul has ministered to. Though they may misunderstand him, judge him and even turn to other preachers in favor of him; one day Jesus Christ will present Paul with those he has ministered to. I do not know that we can say that Paul will be presented with these believers as his reward, but certainly that he will be presented to the Lord at the same time as these believers.

When Jesus returns all of the mess that is in this world will be brought to order. Wrongs will be righted. Misunderstandings will be corrected. Broken fellowships will be restored. Truly we can endure a great deal today if we will keep our own testimonies pure before the Lord and wait on Him.

[1] E-Sword 7.8.5, John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)

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