Ephesians overview – 3:14-19, part 50: Inner man; the good heart developed by commitment to the Lord in all circumstances.

Thursday June 11, 2020

 

Paul quotes Psa 116:10 in 2Co 4:13.

 

2Co 4:6-11

For God, who said [He spoke], "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

 

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels [human weakness, but not sin is in view] that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus [death to self], that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body [raised up with Him]. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake [we suffer], that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

 

2Co 4:12-18

So death works in us [we don’t live for self or the world], but life in you [and all others we serve as Christ would]. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," [In suffering we had to believe God’s words; Psa 116:10] we also believe, therefore also we speak; 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

The Christian committed to following Christ will experience suffering and pressure due to the sin of the world. This sin is found in three areas; first, and I think foremost, within himself in the sin nature or flesh within, the self-life tempting us to not follow or at least compromise our commitment, secondly suffering comes from unregenerate man in the world who hates and persecutes Christ, and thirdly from the ruler of this world, Satan who tirelessly works to discredit the gospel and the truth and to destroy the life of Christ existing in men.

 

Yet, for those whose eyes in their hearts are enlightened to the glory of God, this suffering serves to only emphasize where true life really is, to depend upon God’s promises fully, to call upon the name of the Lord, to know that we are earthen vessels who are weak but strong through faith in God’s strength, to be completely committed to our Father in everything, persevering through it all, knowing that this momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.

 

1Pe 4:19

Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

 

Psa 116:1-4

I love the Lord, because He hears

My voice and my supplications.

2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death encompassed me,

And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;

I found distress and sorrow.

4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord:

"O Lord, I beseech Thee, save my life!"

 

His only hope in life-threatening peril was the “name of the Lord.” Name – reputation, character, ability.

 

Now there is a dramatic shift in the psalm from the terrifying to the glorious nature of the Lord. This indicates just how quickly the believer can move from terror when viewing his circumstance to peace when his faith in the Lord fills his soul.

 

Psa 116:5-9

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

Yes, our God is compassionate.

6 The Lord preserves the simple [pethiy = young and naïve];

I was brought low, and He saved me.

7 Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For Thou hast rescued my soul from death,

My eyes from tears,

My feet from stumbling.

9 I shall walk before the Lord

In the land of the living.

 

The purpose of God’s deliverance: “that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” = a life of close harmony and careful obedience.

 

Gen 17:1

“I am God Almighty;

Walk before Me, and be blameless.”