Grace is not just an abstract concept, but the very gift of God given to us in Jesus Christ—his life, death, and resurrection. This gift is the foundation of our hope, especially in the face of suffering and death. The resurrection of Jesus is not a distant doctrine, but the living answer to our deepest fears and sorrows. It assures us that this life is not all there is, and that God has made us for eternity. When tragedy strikes, or when we walk through seasons of loss, we do not grieve as those without hope. Instead, we hold fast to the truth that Christ’s resurrection is also our resurrection, and that even in the grave, our song is Alleluia.
Suffering is a reality for every person. The question is not if we will suffer, but how we will face it. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians remind us that though our outer selves waste away, our inner selves are being renewed day by day by the Holy Spirit. This renewal is not a denial of pain or decay, but a deeper work of God within us. The Holy Spirit, the giver of life, transforms us into the image of Christ, even as we endure affliction. Our suffering, though it may not feel light or momentary, is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs our present troubles.
We are called to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen and eternal. Our identity is not found in our physical strength or abilities, but in the unseen work of God within us. In times of trial, these truths become precious gifts—not only for ourselves, but for those we know who are suffering. We are invited to cling to the power of God the Father, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit. In all things, we do not lose heart, for God is at work, and our afflictions are not meaningless. They are being woven into a glory that will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:13–18 (ESV) — 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) — And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
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