God’s Sustaining Power

The epistle reading for this coming Sunday (Pentecost 2, Year B) is from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. This is a follow-up letter from Paul, written shortly after 1 Corinthians.

In that earlier communication, he systematically addressed a series of serious, and sometimes scandalous problems that were seething through the congregation. Paul had pulled no punches in his first letter, rebuking the Corinthians for their sins and condemning behaviours and attitudes that did not flow from the gospel (for example 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20).

In 2 Corinthians, Paul’s tone is gentler. Luther says that Paul “pours oil into their wounds” and is “wonderfully kind to them.” What is happening, of course, is that in both letters the Holy Spirit is preaching Law and Gospel to them (and us) through Paul’s ministry, to build them up and make them (and us) more Christ-like and more effective in ministry and mission.

In 2 Corinthians, we learn that Paul is getting ready to again visit the congregation in person (2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1). One of the tasks he is preparing them for is a planned collection for the church in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:1-15).

He is raising their sights, getting them to think beyond themselves once again. As always, his ultimate motivation is the gospel, the good news of what Jesus has done for them (and us!) through the cross and resurrection. They’ve received so much! First and foremost, salvation from sin, and the life, hope, and peace that flow from that. They are part of a much bigger picture—they are ambassadors of reconciliation sent out on a mission that Jesus has initiated (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). How true this is for us also!

Another issue Paul addresses is a challenge to his personal integrity and authority as an Apostle of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:7-11; 2 Corinthians 11:5-6). In responding to attacks on his credibility, he doesn’t avoid telling them about the realities of his own struggles.

In chapter 4, he makes a series of vivid contrasts, telling them: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

What a testimony to the reality of affliction, struggle, and suffering in the Christian life, but much more, what a testimony to the sustaining power of God’s continued presence, power, grace and mercy. Although we face severe trials, God is always our companion and support—our ever-ready helper—and we receive His help through the sheer gift of faith!

At the present time our own little church is experiencing much pressure, perplexity, and disorientation, while also observing increased persecution from wider cultural shifts. Perhaps you’re feeling this very deeply.

May I encourage us all, like Paul, to acknowledge this reality, but also to draw strength from the gospel itself – the greater reality that we have been saved from ultimate destruction, abandonment, and the rejection that our sins surely earn.

God, in Jesus, by a Roman cross of suffering, has delivered us from all those things. Jesus took them on for us and in our place! He destroyed death and the devil and pours out forgiveness. May this good news raise our sights, and may we continue to share it with others outside our church.

To quote Paul again, he had told the Corinthians (and tells us!) that, “we preach… not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7).