Title: Preemptive Gratitude That Calls Miracles
2 Corinthians (14) Miraculous Antecedent Gratitude
(2 Corinthians 4:11-15
<Kill yourself>
In the early church, we faced great difficulties just because we believed in Jesus, but we endured those difficulties with joy. If you are experiencing such hardship because of your faith, face it boldly. The world intelligently rejects the Church. Then be wise and don't use bad means to respond. At that time, if you are prepared to suffer rather than suffering, God will know the problem and solve it in the best way. Because we do not want to suffer, the problem becomes more serious, but if we prepare to suffer, any problem will soon open to a solution.
The Apostle Paul was not shaken by any trials and tribulations. How could that be? Because he knew that the way to die is the way to live (verse 11). In particular, he was ready to die for the Corinthians (verse 12). What is the shepherd's greatest job? to die. When the shepherd dies, life appears in the flock. That was the life of Jesus. A life that kills oneself is necessary for everyone, but it is even more necessary for a leader.
What is the main cause of so many conflicts and problems in life? He didn't kill himself. To live a successful life, you must overcome three things. First, we must overcome the world, second, we must overcome the devil, and third, we must overcome ourselves. In order to overcome oneself like that, above all, you must know how to kill yourself. If you try to overcome your brother instead of trying to overcome yourself, a fight arises. How miserable would it be if the saint who had to stop the fight became a fighter instead?
There was a pious elder in the countryside. He was ordained an elder in his thirties and attended the presbytery as a delegate to the General Assembly. It is a place where only pastors and elders gather, so the day I attended was like the day I entered the kingdom of heaven. But when I actually attended the presbytery, it was a battlefield. That disappointment never returned for the rest of my life. How heartbroken would God be? Always show your religious experience with humility. Blessed are the saints who can kill themselves with such humility.
The Apostle Paul confesses that he is like an earthen vessel, but he was able to live a powerful life because Jesus was in him. So always remember that you are a vessel of earth. How many times do you see once proud people fall like rotten corn in the blink of an eye? To avoid becoming the protagonist of such a tragedy, always try to kill yourself and live a Lord-centered life. Then the grace of the Lord will overflow.
< Preemptive thanks for miracles >
Another source of the Apostle Paul's gracious life was his bold confession of faith (verse 13) and the knowledge of God (verse 14). Sometimes, some saints focus only on faith and take knowledge lightly. However, the knowledge of God is in some ways more important than faith because it is the foundation of all faith. It is the knowledge of God that makes faith right as it is faith. Faith can sometimes flow into an unconditional and erratic belief that is ambiguous, so let it overflow with the knowledge of God so that it does not deviate from the right path.
Also, a grateful heart is a prerequisite for a gracious life (verse 15). In John 11, there is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus. Then Jesus told the people to remove the stones. So when the stones were removed, the first thing Jesus prayed is: “Father, thank you for hearing my prayer.” Then a miracle happened. People say that they get what they want first and give thanks, but Jesus gave the example of giving thanks first and getting what they want.
The most powerful answer to prayer is the prayer of thanksgiving. People usually only appreciate the good, but be grateful in the midst of failures and crises. In crisis there is opportunity. There are no coincidences in God. If you believe that there is a holy and good purpose of God behind everything like that, you can be thankful in advance. Success comes from failure. The best days come from the worst days. Therefore, give proactive thanks even in difficult times. Then you will be the protagonist of the miracle of Lazarus.