ANTICIPATING THE DAY
“13With the same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15For it is all for your sake, so that grace extends to more and more people. It may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:13-16
Did you catch what Paul said in verse 14? “The one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.”
This is our Holy One, Jesus, Our Lord, Our Savior, and he is coming back. Let these words sink into your heart. Your spirit yearns for the day. Can you imagine? Paul is saying that he and Timothy and the Christians of the first century will rise right beside us, the Christians in the 21st century. In the future, at a time that God has chosen, Christians will rise from the earth. You may see Peter or Paul right beside you. What a thought. Imagine seeing the look on the face of Peter as he sees Jesus again. Likewise, Peter may look upon your face as you see Jesus for the first time. Can you imagine anything more exciting than being lifted up alongside our Lord?
Allow your soul to anticipate the most amazing of days when Jesus comes back for us.
In verses 15-16, Paul is encouraging us to hold onto our hope. Don’t fret over the wrinkles and the disabilities that come with aging. No matter what advertisers tell us, don’t focus on your body that is wasting away. He encourages us to keep our focus on the day Jesus returns. Invigorate your “inner self” by remembering that Jesus is coming back. God is waiting to send His Son, so that more and more souls can receive his grace. Share the message of the cross! It is all to the glory of God.
In verses 15-16, Paul is encouraging us to hold onto our hope. Don’t fret over the wrinkles and the disabilities that come with aging. No matter what advertisers tell us, don’t focus on your body that is wasting away. He encourages us to keep our focus on the day Jesus returns. Invigorate your “inner self” by remembering that Jesus is coming back. God is waiting to send His Son, so that more and more souls can receive his grace. Share the message of the cross! It is all to the glory of God.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for giving us glimpses of your return. Thank you for the excitement it stirs in our hearts. How great is your salvation. There is no one holy like you Lord. There is no one besides you! In your blessed name, Amen
Terry Smith
Thank you, Terry, for this great reminder. I've been thinking about it all morning. I got "goosebumps" as I read it. I think that was, as you said, my "spirit yearning for the day."
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