-2 Corinthians 4:1-10 --- Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested. --2 Corinthians 4:10 --- Years ago I lost my job in my chosen profession due to circumstances beyond my control. So I took on two lesser-paying jobs in order to try to make ends meet. Yet it still was very difficult to earn enough to pay my monthly expenses.
Then I reconnected with Joel and Dave, two friends from my past. Joel had become the pastor of a growing church in the suburbs. Dave had become an overseas missionary, but he was visiting in the US at the time. Both of them, recognizing my predicament, gave me money to help pay the rent. I was deeply moved. As I thought of my friends' actions, I said to myself: "I have just seen Jesus Christ!"
Just as I saw Jesus in my friends, sometimes others can see Him in us. Paul speaks of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:;27). He confessed: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). And he also understood that different circumstances can be opportunities for "the life of Jesus [to] be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:10).
Do you know someone struggling? Maybe you are having a rough time. Why not let the indwelling Christ express His love through you by meeting another person's need. And as always, you can call on Jesus. ------ -Real love is helping others for Jesus' sake even if they can never return the favor.
--ODB/DF
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
