October 16, 2005

ALL THINGS FOR YOUR SAKES

2 Corinthians 4:15-18

 

   "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, abound to the glory of God. Therefore we faint not..." (2 Cor. 4:15). What are the "all things" to which Paul referred? By staying close to our context we can see they refer to the troubles, perplexities, persecutions, and knock-downs Paul had endured for their sakes. These sufferings were the practical expressions of "death working in Paul" so that "life might work" in the Corinthians. The result would be an out pouring of thanksgiving to God, "abounding (overflowing) to His glory"!

   These were the reasons he dared not faint. Even as his outward man seemed to be perishing, his inward man was being renewed through it all day by day. He who suffered so often and so greatly could write of "our light affliction"! He felt they were not worthy to be compared with the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"!

Paul wrote in Romans 8:18, that he accounted "...the sufferings of this present time...unworthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us." There was only one way he could so speak; because he looked not at his present peril or situation. He gazed steadily on the unseen hope and promises of God. He did not take his steadfast gaze off the glory.

   Paul spoke of these "afflictions" working in him and producing the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Had he not written that, "tribulation works patience; and patience endurance, and endurance hope, and hope triumphs..." (Romans 5:3-5). Of such trials Paul wrote, "we know not how we should pray," but that God's spirit intercedes to help. But we know for sure that "all things that work together for good...to them that love God, to those...called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

   Job said he did not know: "Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him: On the left hand, where He works, but I cannot behold Him: He hides Himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him: But He knows the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:8-10).

 

Ivan L. Burgener