Why Did Paul Say We "Carry Around the Death of Jesus"?

In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Paul uses “jars of clay” as a metaphor for our human frailty, but he explains that persecution cannot crush (destroy) us because we're filled with the treasure of God’s strength. 

 

“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

This is comforting because 2 Timothy 3:12 explains that all genuine believers will be persecuted, and this is especially true in our present anti-Christian world. 

Then Paul says something unusual:

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 

Jesus said we’ll be hated for His sake (John 15:18-19), which Paul describes as being “given over to death for Jesus’ sake” and death “at work within us.” Whenever we suffer for our faith, we’re participating in the persecutions that led to Christ’s death.

Paul considers everything unimportant compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-11). He participated in Christ's sufferings many times in his life (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Dear Lord, give us that kind of devotion!

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For more encouragement on this subject, see “Dead” People Expect Persecution and “Dead” People Have a Different Perspective.

 

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8 Reasons to Journal

In Journal Is a Verb, I explained five things you can journal to help you stay focused on God. Today I want to offer some additional insights into the value of journaling.

Even if you throw your journal away when you're finished, journaling can help you honestly process your thoughts with God. 

God encourages us to come to Him when we're distressed (Psalm 120:1), in trouble (Psalm 50:15), fearful (Psalm 34:4), lacking strength (Psalm 105:4), joyful (Psalm 100:1), thankful (Psalm 100:4) … no matter our mood or situation.

Journaling:

1. Improves our memory and comprehension. Slowly handwriting a Scripture passage has more impact than reading or typing it (source). 

2. Helps us record answers we find in Scripture so we can refer back to them when we face similar situations.

3. Helps us release stress by Unloading and Reloading—unloading negative thoughts and replacing them with God's truth.

4. Helps us gather our thoughts for more effective prayer and gives us a place to record prayer requests and answers to prayer. 

5. Actually strengthens immune functions to improve our physical health (source). This one surprised me too!

6. Helps improve our brain function (source), keeping us focused and alert.

 

7. Need not be fancy or even grammatically correct. No one will be grading our work. 

 

8. Can serve as a testimony to future generations, showing them how you related to God.

So grab a notebook and get started! It’s good therapy for body, soul, and spirit.

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See  Unloading and Reloading and 4 Things Christians Should Write. 

Some resources used for this devotion: source/source/source/source  

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5 Biblical Truths that Help Us Share the Light of Christ

In 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Paul explains what inspired his ministry. See the full passage below the devotion.

💙1. God’s mercy kept him from losing heart (v. 1).

What Christ did for us inspires us to make sacrifices for His purposes (Romans 12:1). 

💙2. He kept a clean conscience by presenting God’s Word accurately (v. 2).

Careful study of God's Word helps us share it correctly (2 Timothy 2:15). 

💙3. He knew those who reject God's truth are blinded by Satan (vv. 3–4). 

We must be aware and guard against Satan's influence in our world (1 John 5:19). 

💙4. He preached for Christ’s glory, not his own (v. 5).

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

💙5. He understood that God’s message offers light to a dark world (v. 6).

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5

God has prepared ministry for each of us (Ephesians 2:10). So let’s share His light faithfully, accurately, humbly, and powerfully, bringing glory to His name.

 

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See Shining in the Darkness and Rise and Shine: 6 Ways to Start Your Day with Jesus for more encouragement to shine for Jesus.

 

Looking for a gift for a graduate who loves God's Word? Check out: Why Lies in Disguise Is a great graduation gift.  🠆

2 Corinthians 4:1-6: “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 

 

 

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Would You Warn a Child Who Loved Running in Dangerous Traffic?

In Romans 1:16-32, Paul gives us our priorities. He starts by saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Then he strongly condemns specific sins that lead people to Hell. 

Sometimes we think the gospel should be shared without offending people involved in sinful lifestyles. For example, many pastors refuse to preach boldly about homosexuality and the killing of the unborn for fear they'll offend people who'll quit attending church. 

Of course, the only sins treated this way are those approved by culture. No one is afraid of offending gossips, liars, murderers, or thieves.  

But Paul understood the power of the gospel, so he preached quite boldly about the very sins some modern pastors avoid. He understood that there is no salvation without repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 4:17). See Why Salvation Requires Repentance.

Think of it this way: suppose a small child enjoyed running on a busy highway. But we knew that if we warned him, he'd get angry. Would we keep quiet so he'd be happy continuing in his harmful behavior? 

No. We'd be ashamed if we failed to warn the child running in traffic. And we should be ashamed if we fail to warn people headed down the highway to Hell, whether their sins are culturally acceptable or not.

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Please see How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture to confirm that God commands us to warn people about sin. And I also encourage you to read We Must Stop the "Judge Not" Shame Game. 

The Bible Love Notes book, Lies in Disguise, offers scriptural principles to combat popular half-truths so we can warn people with wisdom and grace.   

  

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Journal Is a Verb

When did the word “journal” become a verb? 

It used to be considered a noun: “A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis.” (source) 

But journaling, like googling, is now a verb. And journaling is a great tool for spiritual growth. 

We can journal our:

1.  Prayers—to remember requests and record answers. Philippians 4:6-7 

See The Beauty of Answered Prayer.

2.  Bible study—writing out verses, insights, and applications. 2 Timothy 2:15 

This can even be done in creative ways: Creative Bible Study. You might also want to check out the women's Facebook group Jesus Journaling.

3.  Personal psalms—pouring our hearts out to God in sorrow or joy. Psalm 62:8

4.  Love letters—praising God’s character and thanking Him for our salvation. Psalm 103:1; 77:12  

See Praise and Nothing Else.

5. Blessings—regularly recording our many blessings. This is especially important when going through difficulty or discouragement. Psalm 103:2  

See Happiness Diary.

Even if you aren't someone who typically enjoys writing, I encourage you to give it a try. It really does improve our quiet time focus and gives us a record of things God has done in our lives. 

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If you'd like some ideas for making ordinary composition books into attractive journals, see 3 Inexpensive Journals.

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It offers a blank space (usually a half page) after each devotion where you can journal your thoughts. And the 100 one-minute devotions are designed to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. 

 

And please spread the news about Bible Love Notes Free Subscriptions.

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