Verse of the Day 5/24

Verse of the Day 5/24

2 Corinthians 4:5-6

English Standard Version

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[a]

 for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The read through the New Testament plan that I'm following has recently been in John 7 and 8 where we have many of Jesus' "I Am" statements.  This morning I read in John 8::12 "I Am the light of the world'. Today's verses reminded me of that and help explain how He is the light of the worldk.  Think of how He does this for you, "He has shone in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus."

The chapter is probably known better by verses 16-17, C. S. Lewis wrote a whole book based on these verses, "The Eternal Weight of Glory".

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 English Standard Version 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,

The glory, the presence of Jesus Christ in oiur hearts and minds provides light; hope; and outweighs all of the other things in this life   It goes back to what Paul spoke of in verse 1 of the chapter when He stated, "having this ministry by the mercy of God". If you are in some kind of ministry, it is by the mercy of God, to Him be the glory.  It is with that mind set that the rest of the chapter, the rest of the Bible takes shape and takes hold in our lives and we reflect the glory of God in our lives.

So we proclaim not ourselves, but "To God Be the Glory", read and sing out the words of the old hymn.

1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
   So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
   Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
   And opened the life gate that all may go in.
   • Refrain:
     Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
     Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
     Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
     And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
2. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
   To every believer the promise of God;
   The vilest offender who truly believes,
   That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
   And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
   But purer, and higher, and greater will be
   Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

English Standard Version

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,[a] we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice[b] cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[c] for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 ESV - - Bible Gateway