2 Corinthians 4:13-15 (WEL) We have the same spirit of faith, just as it is written, “I believed, and so I spoke.” We also believe and speak, [Psalm 116:10] 14 Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus and will present us along with you. 15 For everything is for your sake, so that grace, being multiplied through many, may cause thanksgiving to overflow for God’s glory.
V13 We have the same spirit of faith, just as it is written, “I believed, and so I spoke.” We also believe and speak, [Psalm 116:10]
Psalms 116:8-11 (NKJV) 8 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD In the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”
People will let you down; God will not. The Psalmist trusted in the Lord for deliverance, so should we.
Main points of thankfulness:
1. God alone is the deliverer/savior,
2. God delivers from death (from war, persecution, spiritual, and eternal death),
3. eyes are delivered from tears (shame and regret),
4. feet are delivered from falling into sin and its consequences,
5. which causes him to thank God and pledge to live according to God’s rules.
In his distress the Psalmist spoke to God about his afflictions and anger mingled with grief because of people’s lies. The application made by Paul is that God delivered Paul from the false religion of Pharisaism and trying to earn salvation.
Because God delivered Paul, Paul wants to tell others what God has done for him. Paul and the Psalmist had the same faith in God, believing in God and His message.
V14 Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus and will present us along with you.
God the Father authorized His Son, the Lord Jesus, to be resurrected. See Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:24, and Romans 6:4. Paul believed in God. Jesus Christ rose from the dead, so will believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also firmly states that the Corinthian believers will be presented to God just as he (Paul) will. He is stating that these Corinthian believers are saved despite all the errors in their lives and beliefs.
God does not lie.
V15 For everything is for your sake, so that grace, being multiplied through many, may cause thanksgiving to overflow for God’s glory.
Paul’s whole ministry is not about him but other believers. It is said to Christian workers to not seek the glory, the gold, or the gals/guys.
We learn:
• Our faith in Jesus alone for salvation produces a changed life.
• Our belief in Jesus’s resurrection gives us motivation to serve Him.
Questions:
• Do you believe that Jesus rose physically from the dead?
• What are you seeking for?