(2 Corinthians 6)
- We are beaten and thrown into prison (6:5).
- People get upset at us and fight against us (6:5).
- We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food (6:5).
- Others shame us (6:8).
- Others say bad things (6:8).
- Some people say we are liars (6:8).
- To some people we are not known (6:9).
- We seem to be dying (6:9).
- We are punished (6:9).
- We have much sadness (6:10).
- We are poor (6:10).
- We have nothing (6:10).
Comparative Life
We may be experiencing troubles, difficulties, and problems in life. Their thorns may have cut our flesh and caused us some pain. This is inevitable. But Paul has described a different perception in this life if we are working together with God (2 Corinthians 6:9-11). Yes, we are glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. We are glad to be insulted and have hard times. We are glad when we are persecuted and have problems, because it is when we weak that we are really strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
- To some people we are not known, but we are well known (6:9).
- We seem to be dying, but look! We continue to live (6:9).
- We are punished, but we are not killed (6:9).
- We have much sadness, but we are always rejoicing (6:10).
- We are poor, but we are making many people rich in faith (6:11).
- We have nothing, but really we have everything (6:11).
Above all, we must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and He is the One who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But He accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy He could see waiting for Him. And now He is sitting at the right side of God's throne. Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at Him. Think about Him so that you won't get discouraged and stop trying (Hebrews 12:2-3). If you see that your situation is like hell, don't stay in it. Get out of hell. This world is not our home and we're just passing by.
This is a taste of heaven on earth. God wipes away every tear from our eyes. We eagerly work with God in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in the whole world as if there's no death, as if we have no sadness, as if there's no crying in the night, or as if we endure no pain. Imagine a Christian worker who's almost knocked down by illness. He has no riches. He's been mocked by his neighbors for his worse condition. Then he comes out suddenly from his modest abode, smiling to neighbors as if there's no pain, walking his path head high like a millionaire, and leaving all marks of sorrowful tears behind. This is the image of the one who has Christ in himself.
Conclusion
We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us--nothing in the whole created world--will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:18, 31, 37-38).