Not-So-Quiet-Time: 2 Corinthians 4

At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 10/25

Day 1: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Paul went through some hard things, but he didn’t lose heart (1). Why? Because he received his ministry through the mercy of God. This is true for all of us. In good times and in bad, we press on because God has called and empowered us. And we don’t use the natural world’s methods to supernatural ministry. It’s not about being “cunning” or cutting edge. And we certainly don’t adapt the message of Word to what is taught by the world. Instead, we practice the “open statement of truth” (2). Pray that God would help you to openly share his truth.

Day 2: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
God is faithful to save all who belong to Him. This is a gospel fact. In order to save the lost, he shines “in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (6). There is no darkness that can overcome his light. God will not let one of his elect get away. God will not fail to save even one of his children. He is all-powerful and faithful to rescue his own. Thank the Lord for his effectual calling and ability to save. 

Day 3: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Our weak and failing bodies and abilities seem like they would be a problem for the gospel. But the opposite is actually true: the gospel is made clear in the fact that God saves weak and failing sinners. Salvation is up to Him. It is his kind work. And He puts his treasure into our jars of clay (7) to show the “death” at work in us for the “life” of others (12). Pray that God would use our weak lives for his strong gospel. And thank Him that, while we love to obediently be about his business, salvation is his work. And praise Him that his work never fails. 

Day 4: 2 Corinthians 4:13-15
We have been saved and so we speak (13-14). It is as simple as that. If God has saved us, we can confidently share that same gospel message with others knowing that God is able to save others just like He saved us. The fact that God never fails to save any of his people gives us the ability to share confidently and regularly. If being born again depended on human ability, we should be worried. But thank God that He perfectly extends his grace more and more for his glory. 

Day 5: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Don’t lose heart. Life is full of pain and suffering, failure and disappointment. That is true. But “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (17). Following Jesus can have consequences here. But the ultimate consequence that outweighs them all is that we will see Him face to face forever. Ask God to give you that eterna perspective.

Catechism Connection: 29-30
We can boldly share the gospel because God is the giver of faith. “We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit” (WSC 29). We don’t get the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives because we believe. No, we get belief because the Holy Spirit is working. WSC 30 explains, “The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by creating faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.”

Monthly Memory: Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.