Text: 2 Corinthians 11:32-33
Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33 NKJV
MESSAGE
Who can deny that Paul was totally sold to Christ? If not this, the list of suffering that Paul underwent is a prove of his loyalty to Christ. Paul died with Christ so no one could kill him.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Paul was willing to partake in the suffering of Christ up to death. He said, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Philippians 3:10 NKJV
The suffering that Paul enumerated shows that the gospel will attract serious hardships. Some people will hate you for showing sinners the way to eternal life. They may be from within the church sadly. Their goal is to pull you down and slow down the work.
There are many with the ministry of Sambalat and Tobiah whose only aim is to ensure that the gospel is not established and flourishes in the hands of faithful servants of God. Against such men, you must earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
You are a soldier of Christ and you must act as one. You must be ready to go through hardship for the sake of the gospel so that in the end you can have a crown of life.
REFLECTION
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:10 NKJV
Can you say the same about your ministry in the Gospel? Paul suffered but is for eternal glory. Whatever you endure for the sake of the gospel will only translate to glory for you.
PRAYER
Father, please give me the elastic capacity to endure till the end.
