Juxtaposition

The Word is first...

2 Corinthians 6:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

The new life of the believer is one of juxtaposition. There is always a dynamic of placing things side by side for purposes of comparison such as; values, actions, habits, character and purposes. The new believer is keenly aware of how their old values determined their actions, developed into habits, defined their character and allowed them to pursue the purpose which they ascribed unto themselves. It is an important exercise that brings understanding and awareness of the certainty of the new life into which they have been born. By juxtaposing the darkness of their former lives, they provide greater contrast of the new life.

In today's study verse, we see the Apostle Paul employing just such a device. He is speaking of the manner in which he has conducted himself as he went about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Beginning in 2 COR 6:3 he lays out a veritable litany of the hardships he had endured in the name of Christ. Yet this was not to curry sympathy for himself but rather to illustrate the fervent dedication and the spirit of perseverance with which he lived his life. Nor was this intended as for his credit. Rather, it is used as a teaching tool to exhort the Corinthians to open not just their minds to Christ but their hearts as well.

In V10 we see three contrasting conditions which set apart the believer from all others. We begin with "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing". Indeed, the believer spends a great deal of time in the condition of sorrow. The broken heart of the believer is at all times aware of his own state of sinfulness and the extremes to which Jesus went to overcome our sin. Concerned for the state of salvation of our loved ones, family members, business associates, neighbors and friends, we grieve those who turn away from God's truth. When we consider the plight of the unredeemed, we are moved to tears and great sorrow. But by contrast, our sorrow is the pathway by which joy arrives that we may enter into rejoicing. In the worldly heart there is no room for spiritual joy. In the unrepentant heart there is neither capacity for joy. That is not to say there is no passing happiness but it is just that, passing. Whereas the joy of the believer is not subject to the changing dynamics of living in this world. It is based on faith in the certainty of the things to come. With our sorrows comes consolation and is followed by joy. This is as certain as the night following the day, sorrow and joy are inextricably linked together.

The second comparison is "poor, yet making many rich". I laugh out loud at the truthful absurdity of this statement! It flies in the face of worldly wisdom which espouses that the rich beget richness. For the believer, it is the very process of losing everything that opens the storehouses of Heaven from which God's bounteous blessings tumble and flow into our lives. It is the surrender of the slavery to the coin of the realm which frees us into a life of joyful servitude for the currency of God's kingdom. If we have not coin, how then do we make many rich? It is certainly not a matter of money. For what we give away is not divided by the giving, it is multiplied. The manner in which we make many rich is by the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ! In this way, in our perceived poverty we are able to make many truly rich as they are added to the kingdom.

Third is "having nothing, and yet possessing everything." There is an elegant beauty in this statement. As believers we accept that God is the creator and possessor of all things. We willingly take on the mantle of stewardship that we may faithfully handle all those things which belong to our master. In this we give over any ownership to which we may cling so that we may have nothing. Having nothing, we are slaves to nothing. Yet we cannot forget that our master is our heavenly father, the King. As his children we are heirs to the kingdom and in that, we possess everything. But at the same time, we eschew ownership, give it back to Him and continue in our roll of stewardship. The more we give to Him, the more He blesses us and a virtuous cycle is enjoined.

So rejoice and again I say rejoice for The Lord is good! His love endures forever. If you are a believer who struggles with sorrow, rejoice! For joy is coming. If you are a non-believer who struggles with sorrow, repent! For forgiveness is yours for the asking and a joy which you cannot yet comprehend awaits you.

If you are a believer who has neither gold nor silver then rejoice! You may give away an endless supply of God's love and in so doing, make many rich. If you are a non-believer who is impoverished, then repent! There is a banquet table set for you and a great celebration awaits you.

If you are a believer who has nothing, rejoice! For the faithful steward will be rewarded. If you are a non-believer who lusts after worldly gain, repent! Receive the keys to the kingdom of God that your needs may be met and you may take hold of your portion of an inheritance from God himself.

Peace,
Carl