Sunday, 15 December 2019

Encouragement, Part 1

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Question of the day: How many times is "encouragement" mentioned in the 5 verses from 2 Corinthians 1:3-7?

Answer: 8 times. But beyond that, what is really going on here? Paul starts what would become the second letter to the Corinthians with a whole lot of encouragement. Why? Because of what follows ...

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our trouble that happened in Asia. We were under great pressure - so far beyond our strength that we despaired even of living. In fact, we had within ourselves the death sentence - so that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead."

Yes, you read that right. We are being encouraged because we are about to learn of Paul's "death sentence" which requires dependence on resurrection living. All of us need this walk of faith in our lives. Yeshua came, died, and was resurrected so we would not fear death.

Do you sense any fear I what Paul is writing here? None at all! Furthermore; what does Paul mean by declaring everything in Messiah Yeshua is "Yes," and there is not any "No?"

Come back tomorrow as we explore this subject further and answer this question ...