| “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16 |
|---|
| Giving An Uncommon Answer to the Common Question “How Are You Doing.” Not long ago I attended a Bible Study where we were studying 2 Corinthians. As one works through 2 Corinthians one finds the Apostle Paul is very authentic about his life and ministry. As he defends his apostleship, he tells about the incredible difficulties he was facing as he shared the gospel. However, over and over he tells of how he just would never give up, You might recall in 2 Corinthians 4:8 -10 that he wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” There just was no quit in Paul. As we come to our verse to DATE he reaffirms that he is not quitting. He started out chapter 4 “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” Now he states again, “Therefore we do not lose heart.” Regardless of the suffering, the persecution, or the disappointment he was UPBEAT and determined about getting the gospel to the lost and equipping saints to live for Jesus. One might wonder how the Apostle Paul could keep this mindset. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he reveals one of the great principles for staying in the ministry even though it is VERY TOUGH! He starts by defining a reality that our outward man is PERISHING. And boy did he get that right. While we do start as babies growing and getting bigger and stronger the truth of the matter is the moment we are born we start perishing and the longer we do live the more evident it is. The outward man, our bodies, the flesh wears down. If you don’t want to know your future do not read Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. Just saying. Don’t read it because it tells that “difficult days” are coming regarding the decline (the perishing) of the outward man. YET. Don’t miss YET. Paul says that while the outward man is perishing YET he needs to tell you something that is opposite. Paul writes, “Yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” In comparison to the outward, physical part declining, the inward, spiritual man is getting stronger day by day. For Paul, the work of God in transforming him and enabling him with grace and mercy was bringing about an inward growth that was REFRESHING. To be renewed has the idea of being rejuvenated, to be re-energized. No wonder he was not losing heart! Paul’s relationship with the Lord was one of abiding in the Lord. The grace and the mercy were flowing in renewing his spirit. Outwardly he was perishing but inwardly he was renewed! Our relationship with the Lord has Him WORKING in, on, and for us and renewing our spirit. As we ABIDE in Christ the inward man will get stronger even though the outward man declines. So in thinking about this consider that the common question you are usually asked by another person is HOW ARE YOU DOING? And how do you answer that question? The teacher of the Bible study gave us a great challenge by saying, “Why don’t we tell people what Paul said.” When asked, “How are you doing” answer by saying, “Well my outward man is perishing, but my inward man is getting stronger!” Now that would be an uncommon answer to a common question, and it just might open a door for a spiritual conversation! So, how are you doing? If you ask me I will tell you that my outward man is perishing but my inward man is growing and getting stronger every day! Verse to DATE the Word on April 16 (4/16) is 2 Corinthians 4:16. It says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” Continue Strong being renewed day by day, And remember to DATE the Word |