Scripture Reading : 2 Corinthians 4
Theme : Strength in Weaknesses
As believers look at the glory of God in the face of Christ, they are constantly being transformed into the likeness of Christ. It is by looking at the face of Jesus as revealed in Scripture that provides new covenant believers the strength, joy and hope to face all of life’s trials.
- The light of the gospel (4:1-6). Despite his suffering and the savage attacks on him by the false apostles, Paul had not lose heart, but continued to receive strength for his ministry by looking at the face of Jesus. Unlike the false apostles who veiled the truth by adding elements of mystery to impress their followers, Paul presented only the pure and straightforward gospel (1 Cor. 2:2). However, despite the simplicity of the gospel message, it is veiled to unbelievers who have no light to see the gospel of the glory of Christ.
- The treasure in clay jars (4:7-18). Not only had the false apostles attacked Paul’s character and ministry, they even resorted to ridicule Paul’s personal appearance as unimpressive and battered. Rather than denying their allegations, the apostle acknowledged his weakness and used the analogy of precious treasure kept in a clay pot to express how the priceless truth of the gospel was also held in a humble human container. That was how God’s power flowed unhindered through him so that he can withstand exceeding pressure and onslaught from his enemies during his ministry. His secret for enduring through painful and difficult trials was by cultivating spiritual strength in his inner person (v.16), not letting the present blind him to the future (v.17), and setting his heart on eternal, not temporal realities (v.18).
Praying the Scripture
- God delights in using humble, common people, those who are overlooked by the society to place the incalculable treasure of the gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-29), so that the power to save is not in the human messenger, but in the divine message. As we humbly and faithfully serve God, His power flows through us so that more and more people will worship and glorify God (Rev. 5:13). Let’s pray that we will not rely on clever tactics or make the gospel less offensive when evangelising, but to trust in God’s sovereignty for the salvation of unbelievers.
- All Christians can learn from Paul’s example on how to endure the loneliness, disappointment, pain and persecution they face. It was the vision of God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus Christ that provides the foundation for living a triumphant life. As we know Christ better, the better we will know God and the better equipped we are to handle life’s trials and difficulties. Let’s pray that we do not lose heart in suffering, but to look even more intently at Jesus Christ who is revealed through Scripture.
经文：哥林多后书4
主题：软弱中的力量
当信徒在基督的脸上得知神荣耀的光时，他们也不断转变成基督的样式。新约信徒是藉着仰望经文所揭示的基督得到力量、喜乐和盼望，来面对生命中的试炼。
- 福音之光（4:1-6）。即便受苦并遭到假使徒的凶猛攻击，保罗并不气馁，而是藉着仰望耶稣的脸，继续得到事工上所需的力量。保罗不像隐藏真理，添加迷信色彩吸引听众的假先知，因为他只向人讲述纯正的福音（林前2:2）。然而，福音信息虽然简单，它对非信徒而言仍是蒙蔽的，因为他们看不见基督荣耀福音的光。
- 瓦器里的宝贝（4:7-18）。假使徒不但攻击保罗的品格及事工，还嘲笑了他的样貌，说他长得普普通通，甚至像遭受过虐待似的。保罗不但没对此进行抗辩，还借此承认自己的软弱，并用收藏在瓦器里的宝贝作比喻，说明无价真理的福音也由一个卑微的人装着。这就是神的力量如何藉着他无阻地流露，叫他在事工中能承受敌人的极度压力和攻击。他之所以能承受痛苦及艰难的试炼，其秘诀是茁壮内心的属灵力量（16节），不让现状蒙蔽未来的盼望（17节），及顾念永恒的事，不是暂时的现状（18节）。
用经文祷告
- 神喜悦使用平凡又谦卑，即社会常忽略的人，将珍贵的福音之宝藏至在内（参：林前1:26-29），好叫使人得救的能力不是在人，而是神的信息里。当我们忠心，谦卑地事奉神时，祂的力量藉着我们涌流，叫更多人能敬拜及荣耀神（启5:13）。让我们祷告我们在传福音时不会依靠聪明和技巧，或更改福音信息使人更能接受，而是在非信徒的得救之事信靠神的主权。
- 信徒能向保罗学习如何承受自己所面对寂寞、失望、痛苦和逼迫。当信徒在基督的脸上得知神荣耀的光时，他们就能为活出得胜的生命奠下基础。当我们越认识基督的时候，当我们越了解神的时候，我们也得到更好的装备承受生命中的试炼和困难。让我们祷告我们在苦难时不会气馁，而是藉着圣经的启示更加专注于耶稣基督。
