2CORINTHIANS INSIGHTS
This chapter tells us that as Christians we may encounter afflictions ( 2Co1:7).
Apostle Paul has this gift of making adversity to appear ” attractive” because he tells us, it works out for a greater enduring glory.
He lets us know that affliction is for a while. It cant be compared to the greater glory we receive in return, if we endure.
He did the same thing in 1Cor15:34-54 – where he made us loose the fear of death because he presented death as a seed that is planted and must die in order to become a fruitful plant. So he makes us to see death just as a passage to a new everlasting life.
And he doesn’t talk in rhetorics; he talks practical, using his life experiences to buttress his words.
His major point is that in all our afflictions as believers, we should never stop trusting GOD for deliverance.
We also see him appreciating prayers that the church made for them while they were in trouble and the gifts that the church also sent them.
He acknowledged that they leveraged on the grace of GOD to enable them live HOLY under such situation.
This reminds me so much of the affliction that is befalling the church of GOD in the North now.
What should be our response/ attitude?
– we should be on our knees praying for their deliverance
– we should make collections and send to help them cushion the effect of this affliction.
– we should not lose hope in the promises of GOD
– we look not unto man or any apostle, but by faith we stand
We do not abandon our faith or abandon each other especially in moments of trouble/ affliction, rather the more we are bonded and stand for each other in unity, and that becomes our boast, so to say.
Final takeaway on 2Cor1 is:
What is our boast when our brethren are in affliction because of their faith?
