Living on Divine Power

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

¹¹ For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

¹² So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

¹³ We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

¹⁴ Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

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.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

The reason we have to live on divine power

The disappointments of this earthly life
We will encounter troubles on every side, in every way, place, and occasion. Most times, it is hard to understand, it is confusing, and we are puzzled that we do not know what to do. Sometimes, we are persecuted verbally and physically, and this saddens, depresses, and discourages us.

The deterioration of this earthly body
This old body wears out little by little which causes us trouble. E.g. loss of hearing, loss of memory, back pains, joint pains, etc. When we are having health problems, it sure does help to have divine power to help strengthen us so we can cope with our health problems.

The resource we have to live on is divine power

The agency for this power
What is this treasure that Paul is talking about in verse 7? In verse 6, it talks about the light that shines out of the darkness. In Philippians 4:13, we are reminded that we can do all things through Christ.

The action for this power
Those who live for Jesus alone, live on divine power. Those who live by faith, live on divine power. Notice in verse 13, having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed (past tense), and therefore have I spoken; we also believe (present tense), and therefore speak. In verse 14 (future tense), Paul talks about the resurrection and rapture.

What it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under their sufferings? Faith kept them from fainting. The grace of faith is a sovereign cordial, and effectual antidote against fainting. The hope of the resurrection also kept them from sinking. The consideration of the glory of God and the benefit of the church, by means of their sufferings, kept them from fainting.

It is by faith that we see God, who is invisible, and by this, we look to an unseen heaven and hell, and faith is the evidence of things not seen. Those who live to bring others to Jesus live on divine power.

The reflection we have when we live on divine power

When we live on divine power, we will manifest Jesus in our Life. (Matthew 5:16)

The response we have when we live on divine power

When we live on divine power, we will respond with a rebounding attitude. The idea is, he was not wholly discouraged, disheartened, and overcame.

In verse 8, the word “perplexed” means to be without utter resource; to despair altogether; and the idea of Paul here is, that they were not left entirely without resources.

In verse 9, “but not forsaken” means not deserted, nor left by God. Though persecuted by people, they experienced the fulfilment of the divine promise that He would never leave nor forsake them.

In verse 9, “but not destroyed” means not killed. They rose again; they recovered their strength; they were prepared for new conflicts.

Paul had a rebounding attitude. It is hard to keep a person down when they are living on divine power because they will bounce right back up.

The renewing we have when we live on divine power

Though our outward man, that is our body, grows old, becomes weak and feeble, and loses its vigour and elasticity, yet the inward man, our soul which cannot be felt or seen by others, is renewed, renovated, strengthened, and invigorated.

To live on divine power we must live for Jesus alone, live by faith, and live to bring others to Jesus.