Alive in Christ

The Word is first...

2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (NIV)

⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^a made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

^a Gen. 1:3

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

In a scant eight days I will be in Guatemala on my first mission trip. To say that I'm a little apprehensive would be a gross understatement, even for Captain Obvious. I know what I'm supposed to do there but being unable to communicate will be a real test for me. In studying this passage, I am reminded that it isn't about me, it's about Jesus.

I go to Guatemala not to advance myself but to advance His kingdom. Since His kingdom is one of love and action, words are of little value in this instance; action is what counts. So I go to serve through building houses or whatever else they need me to do. If I want to own today's passage I would say "I do not preach my self, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and I am your servant for Jesus' sake."

I go to Guatemala not because it is glamorous or fun or rewarding but to let my light shine before men that they may glorify my Father in Heaven. In my life, God has already sent light into the darkness of my heart. I always say that I'm glad that "you don't have to get the darkness out before you can let the light in. The light chases away the darkness." Owning this passage I would say "God said 'Let light shine out of darkness,' and indeed he make his light shine in my heart so that I would know of His glory as presented by Christ and I would thirst to share it with others."

I go to Guatemala not to prove that I am strong or capable but to demonstrate that God can use me, even though I am frail. If I had big muscles and years of experience at this, what would that prove? But since I have neither, any success will be plainly attributable to God alone. Owning this passage I would say "I have the treasure of Christ in my body made from clay so don't thank me, thank God."

I go to Guatemala not to be comfortable but to show that discomfort is valuable and perseverance worthwhile. God has not called me to a life of luxury or comfort. I mean, Christ came and didn't even have a pillow. How then could I possibly expect better? How can I keep my mouth shut and not praise him LOUDLY for the wonderful blessings I already enjoy? To own this passage I would say "I face adversity and sometimes it gets me down, but it never defeats me. I stand accused and guilty but not made captive. Though my body may be destroyed, I will live forever."

I go to Guatemala not as my self but as the hands and feet of Jesus. I'm thinking of Galatians 2:20 now which reminds me that "I have been crucified in Christ and I myself no longer live but Christ lives in me." So though my body goes to Guatemala, I'm little more than a mode of transportation. Owning this verse I would say "I forever remember the sacrifice of Christ on my behalf and I live to show how Jesus lives in me now and can live in you too."

I go to Guatemala not to go unseen but to boldly show. What I go to show is that people who are yielded to Christ love others, in fact, love strangers. They love strangers so much that they are willing to give of their time, talent and treasure just for the fleeting chance that they might be able to share a word of Christ's love. To own this verse I would say "I live now, really live and every day I give my self away so that I can be filled with Jesus so that you may see him and his eternal beauty in my mortal body."

It is true that I have died to myself and that this is something that I must CONSTANTLY do. It's not a one-time, it's-all-done kind of thing. Every moment, every breath I have to die anew. The more I do that, the more The Spirit is poured into me and the more I live for Him. That's why I'm going to Guatemala, to live less for me and more for him.

Shalom,
Carl