The writings of the apostle Paul are an amazing testimony
from the life of this transformed hater of Christians and enemy of the church.
The Damascus Road experience had caused the changes as Paul became a follower
of Jesus and traveled on mission tours spreading the truth of the gospel.
One of the most personal letters he wrote was 2 Corinthians
where he seemed to realize the struggles of Christians.
His first letter to them had brought up the problems and attitudes which
necessitated changes being made. Now his second letter is finding many of those
problems still existing, although there are some Christians who are attempting
to keep the faith and maintain their allegiance to God.
I want us to see today, the important message early in
chapter 1, which assures us that in spite of our troubles and problems God is
with us to bring comfort. Read closely from verses 3-7:
Praise be to the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God
of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our
lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it
is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we
know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
One thing every Christian should know and understand is that
difficulties come our way. It may be brought about by some sin in our lives, or
it could be the result of sin in the lives of someone else. In the case of the
Corinthian Christians, they were having some bitter disagreements in the
church, some based on lifestyles, others based on worship, to name a few. Paul
himself knew in his Christian life problems arose, there was always some
suffering attached to his work in spreading the gospel
As a result of this, Paul wanted the Corinthians to know
that when these trials of struggle and suffering come our way, God is there to
provide comfort. The added bonus is that the comfort with which we are
comforted overflows from us and becomes a comfort to others. We see from the
passage above that God is a God of comfort, but we are also comforted by fellow
Christians.
We are all people who share in our sufferings, but the
comfort to see us through difficult times is available from God and from His
children. Those who receive this comfort from God are to become a comfort to
others who are suffering.
It was no mistake on the part of God to use the word
"Comforter" when describing the Holy Spirit which lives in us. That
comfort which we receive from deep within, is God recognizing our agony and
dilemma and offering his peace. If you recognize that comfort in your life
today, let it overflow from you into the life of someone you know is
struggling. God bless.
<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>
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