Today we continue to teach on our overall theme for the year: “GREAT FREEDOM.” In this series, we studied 2 Corinthians 3 and we then crossed over into chapter 4. In our last message, we looked at 2 Cor 4:8,9. Today we will look at verse 10.
(2 Corinthians 4:10 Easy to Read Version)
“So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.”
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. God deposited His power IN you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.” (2 Cor 4:7).
a) Everything God is is inside of you in the person of the Holy Spirit.
b) The Holy Spirit gives you access to God’s power.
c) Paul contrasted God’s limitless and infinite power (His treasure) with our limited and finite beings (the jars of dirt/clay). God did this to make it clear that the excellency of the power that is IN us, comes from God and NOT from us! This is critical to understand, especially when we are facing challenges that are bigger than our ability to handle.
2. Paul went on to talk about the pressures of this world and how earthly pressures cause God’s treasure (His Spirit) to be put on display in your life.
Paul said, “We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” (2 Cor 4:8,9).
a) When you are faced with the troubles and the pressures of this world, and you are clearly in situations that exceed your power/ability/strength, it is then and only then that the power of God is fully put on display in your life.
b) The pressure the enemy puts on you forces you to STOP relying on yourself. Once you do and your power ends, God’s power kicks in. It is then that you get to experience God’s “super” on your natural! You are able to do what you could never do before and you know that you were NOT the one doing it. It’s Holy Spirit, living in you, giving you the words, performing the work, and releasing His power!
c) If satan knew any better he would leave you alone. The more he attacks you, the more power the Holy Spirit releases! The more pressure he puts on you, the more the Holy Spirit is put on display.
3. God does not create bad situations. The enemy does. But God can turn them around for His glory!
Paul said, “So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Cor 4:10)
a) The more you experience the death of Jesus — facing the pressures of this world and dealing with all the challenges the enemy brings your way — the more the LIFE of Jesus will be put on display in/with/through your life!
b) God is not causing the bad things to happen, just so He can flex His muscles and get you out of them. If God did that, it would make Him narcissistic. This is not the case. God is not putting a disease on you, just so He can turn around and help you of it and somehow receive the glory. That’s crazy. The enemy is the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. What God does is take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for our good! The more death satan brings, the more life Jesus is able to display through you.
If satan brings sickness, God brings healing. If satan brings turmoil, God brings peace. If satan brings lack, God brings provision. No matter what the enemy hits you with, there is nothing He can do that God cannot undo and overcome! So I will repeat what Paul said, “We constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Cor 4:10). Are you ready to alow the life of Jesus to be seen in your body? If so, don’t get discouraged by the challenges you are facing. Get excited! God can turn them around for His good and glory!
That’s enough for today.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for placing Your Spirit IN me. I declare what Jesus decreed. Without You, I can do NOTHING! However, With You, I can DO ALL THINGS! So when troubles come, I don’t blame You for the trouble. You did not put bad things on me. But You are surely capable of taking what the enemy meant for evil, and turning it around for my good and Your glory! I believe You will. Whenever I have trouble on every side, I don’t give up. He who is IN me is greater than what is in front of me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
