Title Own the Future
2 Corinthians (4) Own the Future
(2 Corinthians 1:12-14)
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Own the Future >
Ordinary people commit better through ‘encouraging’ than ‘caring’, but mature people commit better with ‘caring’ than ‘encouraging’. Be mature in giving and receiving such consideration. Voluntary dedication is a beautiful and wonderful thing, but many people don't do it well, so sometimes people who do it well are highlighted and encouraged. Seek plenty of faith, position, and power so that such encouragement will not be taken as a burden and hurt to you.
Above all, become a saint who owns the future. The pride of saints must be future-oriented. Pursue pride that you will be proud of in the future than in the past or present, and that will be recognized after you have passed away. Don't judge a person by the way they are, but have a future eye and a view that can see his potential.
No one knows how people will change in the future. Don't judge someone's future. Many parents are concerned about their children, but over time, their children often grow up much more proudly than their parents expect. Therefore, even if it is a little difficult and insufficient at present, have an idea of possibility and become a person who dreams of tomorrow's pride.
< Be proud of each other >
There is another precious thing that saints can be proud of. It is to be proud of each other (verse 14). Be proud of each other. The most unhappy people are those who can brag about themselves and cannot feel the pride of others. Rather than being happy when they hear that someone else's child is doing well, there are parents who come back home and scold their own child, saying, “Why are you not as good as that child?” Unhappy person. Be a person who knows how to rejoice in what other people are proud of. The greatest relief and service is to share honor and pride.
The Corinthian church was famous for criticizing the apostle Paul. He not only ignored Paul's apostleship, but even criticized his private life. Even though he broke his heart with so many words and sarcasm, the apostle Paul still says: “We want you to be our pride and ours to you when we stand before the Lord later” (verse 14). What a wonderful word of faith. If you serve someone with such a belief, the future will be yours. The thing to brag about should be in the future, not in the past or present.
With a generous heart, humbly reserve the boasting of the present, saying that true boasting will be done in the distant future. Real pride is being recognized for your proud life after you have passed away. Especially when you die, how great would it be if you could be proud of your life before the Lord? Don't compare yourself to what you are today. If you distance yourself from God in your present exalted form, God will surely humble you.
Now, as you think about the days when you will stand before the Lord in the future, check your pride once more. Are you not proud of the fact that it fades and rusts over time? Such pride later turns into shame. Always boast of God's grace, embrace the secret pride that your conscience recognizes, look forward to the future, and become the protagonists of a blessed life laid on the rock by being in harmony with the community.