Text: 2 Corinthians 6:4 NKJV

Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.

2 Corinthians 6:4 NKJV

MESSAGE

What do men like Paul know that we do not, what did they see that we seem to be ignorant of, and what was the persuasion that made them dogged and rugged to obtain the eternal crown? How do they measure and assess things that we have not come into?

Paul was no special breed, though an uncommon man in many ways. He distinguished himself as a missionary, writer, and sufferer for Christ. Paul could have had anything in the world. He would have become a successful leader in his field of Choice but became all things including poor, destitute, hungry, without clothing, shipwrecked, disgraced, imprisoned, stoned, and so on for Christ and the gospel.

Paul was an indomitable man of little stature but a giant in faith. Whatever was driving him must be bigger than any earthly motivation or accomplishment. He was not fighting as one beating the air, Paul had a goal: He had seen the crown of glory, he had seen the Lord of glory, and nothing would make him miss it.

With his long list of suffering, Paul never looked back. He even called them light afflictions which is nothing compared to the glory to be revealed in us. Though pressed hard on every side, Paul will not be crushed, though persecuted, nothing will destroy his faith, though forsaken, Paul never abandoned his cross and calling (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).  He was determined to win Christ even if He lose the world. And He did.

Paul stood before Kings undaunted and unchallenged, he had seen someone bigger than Festus or Agrippa. He had seen a vision bigger than the whole Roman empire. Whatever he saw in the Arabian desert had shaped his heart. He was on a journey of no return to the world. Paul was crucified to the world, none of its glamour ever moved him. And for this cause, he said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel”, and also that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.

Paul’s persuasion never came from the abundance he had but rather the abundance of his sufferings for the glory of Christ. He showed us that if we suffer with him, we will share His glory and that He will not deny us.

Would you take a moment to ask yourself if you have truly seen the glory that is reserved for you? Until we see beyond this transient world we will not go all the way with Him.

Sinners will continue to reject the gospel until they see the Lord of glory Himself. At least that was the story of Saul before He became Paul.  Once he saw the glory there was no looking back.

He was persuaded that neither life nor death, not even angels will ever put out the flame of the passion he had for Christ.
In His last few words, Paul showed us that he has won indeed. All this was not a waste.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6‭-‬8 KJV

Would that be your testimony? It will be only if you turn to God to help.

REFLECTION

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1 Corinthians 3:13NKJV

In every decision you make, do it with eternity in view. Ask God to give you a correct vision of eternity.

PRAYER

Father, please grant me a vision of eternity and help me to see everything in the light of eternity.