Renewal of the Inward Man Amidst Life's Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Realism in Faith

In the Christian journey, realism is not about succumbing to despair but about facing life's challenges with a hopeful perspective. The Apostle Paul serves as a profound example of this, acknowledging the inevitable decay of the outward man while celebrating the renewal of the inward man. This renewal is a daily work of the Holy Spirit, empowering believers to endure suffering with a perspective that transcends the temporal. Christians are called to confront the harsh realities of life with a defiant "though," signifying a protest against despair and hopelessness. This approach allows believers to see beyond the visible decay and recognize the strength and renewal that come from being linked to God and the eternal. [09:04]

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel overwhelmed by challenges? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to renew your perspective and strengthen your inward man today?

Day 2: The Power of "Though"

The word "though" in the Christian vocabulary is a powerful declaration against despair and hopelessness. It signifies a protest against the visible decay and a recognition that there is more beyond what meets the eye. The inward man, connected to God and the eternal, becomes the source of strength and renewal. This connection allows believers to bear the dying of the Lord Jesus in their bodies, knowing that His life is being manifested in them. By embracing the power of "though," Christians can face life's adversities with a resilient spirit, confident in the eternal realities that transcend the temporal struggles. [19:00]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Identify a situation where you feel hopeless. How can you use the word "though" to shift your perspective and find strength in God's promises today?

Day 3: Daily Renewal Through Grace

Inward renewal is a dynamic, daily process fueled by the abundant grace of God. This renewal is not static but a progression from glory to glory, independent of our circumstances. As the outward man perishes, the inward man grows stronger, more vibrant, and more attuned to eternal realities. This growth is sustained by the inexhaustible grace of God, which is renewed every day. By focusing on this daily renewal, believers can experience a transformation that empowers them to live with confidence and joy, regardless of external challenges. [46:10]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's grace and renewal in your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to prioritize this inward renewal?

Day 4: Living in the Realm of the Inward Man

Christians are called to live in the realm of the inward man, holding loosely to the temporal and clinging to the eternal. This is the secret of Christian triumph: the ability to say "though" and "nevertheless" because of the inward man in Christ Jesus. By focusing on the eternal, believers can navigate the perishing world with a sense of purpose and hope. This perspective allows them to prioritize what truly matters and find strength in their connection to God, even as the outward man decays. [48:44]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What are some temporal things you find yourself clinging to? How can you shift your focus to the eternal and live more fully in the realm of the inward man?

Day 5: The Essence of Our Being

The inward man is the essence of our being, distinct from the outward man. It is our soul and spirit, linked to God and the eternal, and it continues to grow and thrive even as the outward man decays. This inward renewal is the source of our strength and hope, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence and joy. By nurturing the inward man, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a greater sense of purpose in their daily lives. [27:13]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: How can you nurture your inward man today? What specific practices or habits can you incorporate into your life to strengthen your connection with God and the eternal?

Sermon Summary

In the face of life's trials and tribulations, we are reminded of the profound truth that while our outward man may perish, the inward man is renewed day by day. This renewal is not a mere philosophical concept but a living reality for those who are in Christ. The Apostle Paul, writing amidst severe trials, exemplifies this truth. He does not shy away from the harsh realities of life; instead, he faces them head-on, acknowledging the decay of the outward man while rejoicing in the renewal of the inward man. This renewal is the work of the Holy Spirit, who enlivens our inner being, enabling us to endure suffering with a perspective that transcends the temporal.

The Christian life is marked by a unique realism. Unlike the world, which often seeks escapism through various means, the Christian faces facts with a defiant "though." This word signifies a protest against despair and hopelessness, a declaration that there is more beyond the visible decay. The inward man, linked to God and the eternal, is the source of strength and renewal. It is this inward renewal that allows us to bear the dying of the Lord Jesus in our bodies, knowing that His life is being manifested in us.

This inward renewal is a daily process, fueled by the abundant grace of God. It is not a static experience but a dynamic progression from glory to glory. As the outward man perishes, the inward man grows stronger, more vibrant, and more attuned to the eternal realities. This growth is not dependent on our circumstances but on the inexhaustible grace of God, which is renewed every day.

In this world, where everything is perishing, the Christian is called to live in the realm of the inward man, holding loosely to the temporal and clinging to the eternal. This is the secret of Christian triumph: the ability to say "though" and "nevertheless" because of the inward man in Christ Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. The Christian life is marked by a realism that faces the facts of life without despair. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this by acknowledging the decay of the outward man while rejoicing in the renewal of the inward man. This renewal is a daily work of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to endure suffering with a perspective that transcends the temporal. [09:04]
2. The word "though" signifies a protest against despair and hopelessness. It is a declaration that there is more beyond the visible decay. The inward man, linked to God and the eternal, is the source of strength and renewal, allowing us to bear the dying of the Lord Jesus in our bodies, knowing that His life is being manifested in us. [19:00]
3. Inward renewal is a daily process, fueled by the abundant grace of God. It is a dynamic progression from glory to glory, not dependent on our circumstances but on the inexhaustible grace of God, which is renewed every day. This growth strengthens the inward man, making it more vibrant and attuned to eternal realities. [46:10]
4. The Christian is called to live in the realm of the inward man, holding loosely to the temporal and clinging to the eternal. This is the secret of Christian triumph: the ability to say "though" and "nevertheless" because of the inward man in Christ Jesus. [48:44]
5. The inward man is the essence of our being, distinct from the outward man. It is our soul and spirit, linked to God and the eternal, and it continues to grow and thrive even as the outward man decays. This inward renewal is the source of our strength and hope, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence and joy. [27:13]
** [27:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction to 2 Corinthians 4:16
[00:48] - Living in a Present Evil World
[01:59] - Jesus Christ is Not Ashamed of Us
[03:34] - Paul's Experience of Triumph
[04:27] - Facing Adverse Circumstances
[06:13] - The Christian's Evangelistic Opportunity
[09:04] - The Christian as a Realist
[12:28] - The Outward Man Perishing
[14:25] - Facing Facts in a Unique Way
[19:00] - The Power of "Though"
[24:32] - The Inward Man Renewed
[33:25] - The Life of the Soul and Spirit
[37:42] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
[46:10] - Abundant Grace Renewed Daily

Sermon Clips

The Apostle was literally experiencing these things when he wrote. It's not a man sitting back and taking a kind of idyllic view of life. It's a man in the midst of all these untoward circumstances literally telling us what his experience is. [00:05:07]

The Christian is a realist that he always faces the facts. Though our outward man perish, he's facing it. He is looking at it straight in the eye. He's in no way trying to get away from it or to run away from it. [00:09:10]

The claim we make for the Christian faith as I say is this: not only that it's realistic but that it alone is realistic and that there is nothing else in the world this morning that so invites people and encourages them to face facts as they are as this gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:10:26]

The Christian does not stop merely at the recognition of the inevitable. He does recognize the inevitable. He doesn't blink at facts. He doesn't try to conceive them. He doesn't try to change them. He looks steadily at them and then he looks through them. He looks beyond. [00:19:41]

The Christian is a man who begins where everybody else ends. The Christian is a man who begins to speak when everybody else is silent. If you like it as a general principle, you can put it like this: man's extremity is God's opportunity. [00:22:06]

The inward man is renewed day by day. Now here is the whole secret of the Christian's position. There's the inward man. Though I must put it in the form of a question before I proceed: have you got an inward man? That's the thing that tells us whether we are Christians. [00:27:58]

The inward man is something that only a Christian has. Nobody else has the inward man. That's the whole tragedy of the man who is not a Christian. He doesn't know anything about the inward man. He's only got the outward man. [00:30:25]

The inward man is renewed day by day. The abundant grace of God, and my dear friend, it goes on day by day. God doesn't just give us a gift of grace when we are converted and become Christians and then you gradually draw on that the rest of your life. [00:46:10]

The inward man is renewed day by day. He gets stronger. He said that at the last verse of the previous chapter: we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory. [00:46:40]

The inward man is renewed day by day. The abundant grace of God, and my dear friend, it goes on day by day. God doesn't just give us a gift of grace when we are converted and become Christians and then you gradually draw on that the rest of your life. [00:46:10]

The inward man is renewed day by day. He gets stronger. He said that at the last verse of the previous chapter: we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory. [00:46:40]

The inward man is renewed day by day. The abundant grace of God, and my dear friend, it goes on day by day. God doesn't just give us a gift of grace when we are converted and become Christians and then you gradually draw on that the rest of your life. [00:46:10]

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