I had a meeting with a couple men who I don’t know very well. I was confident in myself and shared with them the belief of things I could accomplish. But I left the meeting with one regret. So, in discussion with one of the men this week I took the chance to share my regret.
“Therefore” written in verse 1 draws us back to truth we’re growing from glory to glory in Christ so we shouldn’t lose hope. No matter what our situation maybe we’re not crushed, not despairing, not forsaken, and not destroyed (v7-9). Why? “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Notice the Holy Spirit prompts Paul to write, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5), and again… “always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 No matter who we meet, what we go through, or our daily interactions it’s an opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus through us. Jesus is alive in you through His Holy Spirit.
And that was my regret. I was so confident in myself I didn’t give Jesus the glory for who He made me to be. So, when I spoke to the guy again this week, I was able to clarify the man I am today (and I’m still growing) is because of the grace of Jesus and His transforming work in my life. He gave me a chance to give Him the glory for His good work in my life. You will get a similar opportunity this week, will you take it? Do you realize it’s not your good works but his good work through? Give Jesus the glory for His atoning death and faithful work in your life and let His life be manifested through you!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.