Being Renewed Day By Day
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)
As the apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth, it was with the intent to encourage those who are struggling with difficulties in this life. He was not immune to trials, for in the same letter, he revealed that he was
...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often... (2 Corinthians 11:23)
What an example to the saints when Paul stated,
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. (2 Corinthians 11:29-30)
His apostolic calling did not make him to differ from the average follower of Christ. He endured trying times just as they did. He would not lose heart or allow the trials of life to sway his walk with the Lord. Neither should we. Rather, may we, like Paul
...take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
With the passing of each new day, new week, new month, new year, we are aging. The "outward man is perishing." We dwell in wearing down bodies in a wearing down world. The apostle experienced this as much as any other, for he may have been losing his sight (Galatians 6:11) and perhaps had other health issues (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 4:13-15).
Despite the perishing of the outward man, Paul was comforted by the continual growth of the inward, the spiritual man. He saw each new day as a new opportunity for spiritual growth. What a blessing that God enables us to be renewed day by day in the inward man (Ephesians 3:16).
“...each new day is a new opportunity for spiritual growth.”
Since we serve a God who seeks to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9), each new day is truly a blessing from God, for it is a fresh start, a new beginning. Today is an opportunity to do better than yesterday. Today is a fresh slate, unmarred by sin; an opportunity to imitate the image of Christ in our life.
We are at the time of year when folks are prone to make "New Year's resolutions." It is good to resolve to make changes for the good. We don't need a new year to do so, but nonetheless, it is an opportune time. What have you resolved to do? What changes have you determined to make in the coming year? Let it be more than the usual, lose weight, eat healthier, get out of debt, save for a trip, etc.. These all have to do with the outward man which is perishing. May our focus be on those things which are eternal, not temporal.
Will you renew your determination to assemble with God's people at every occasion possible? Will you renew your readiness to share the message of Christ with the lost who are around you? Will you renew your faithfulness in reading God's word daily?
Having encouraged the brethren to not lose heart but to be renewed in their spirit, Paul continues to build up the saints and contrast the eternal with the temporary. He writes:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Be renewed, my friend. Get your mind on eternal matters; devote yourself and each day to the Lord. If you are a Christian, you belong to the Lord. Live in such a way that He will be glorified and fellow Christians will be edified. Make your life a light to the world, so that those who are around you will know the way of God, and be caused to repent of sin and turn to the Lord.
Be renewed in 2010, be renewed today and every day!
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Answering The Atheist
Complaint:
Should we rejoice when our enemies suffer? Psalm 58:10 says yes, but Proverbs 24:17 says no. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
It is obvious that this supposed contradiction is nothing more than the questioner picking two texts that appear to be at odds, but without any considering the context.
Psalm 58 addresses the wicked and their just reward (Psalm 58:2-3, 10-11). The rejoicing spoken of takes place at the judgment (10-11), when the righteous are rewarded and the wicked are condemned.
Proverbs 24 tells the righteous to not rejoice at the enemy's fall. So obviously, the texts contradict, right? Let us consider the next verse in Proverbs 24:
...lest the LORD see it, and it displeases Him, and He turns away His wrath from him... (Proverbs 24:18-20)
There will be joy among the righteous, for God will render to all according to their deeds; reward for the righteous and punishment for the wicked. But, it is inappropriate for the righteous to find joy in the suffering of the wicked here and now. God will use trials to affect the heart - but He does not want His people wishing ill upon others. At judgment, the righteous will have joy over the exercise of God's justice in punishing the wicked, but until then, we ought not rejoice when we see trials upon the wicked, lest we displease the Lord by our attitude.
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible