Writings: Do Not Lose Heart

By: Dr. Gregory S. Neal

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus …
There’s just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and heart proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there’s something about that name.

Of all the modern praise and worship songs, this one by Bill and Gloria Gaither has long been my favorite. I remember learning it when I was young; it was released in 1970 and was an immediate hit among Christians of many different traditions, even making it into the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal. Its simple tune, beautiful words, and vivid imagery have long provided me comfort and hope in difficult times. Through these words I am reminded that no matter where I am, no matter where I go, no matter what difficulty I may experience, no matter how alone I may feel, God is already there ahead of me; Jesus is going there with me; the Holy Spirit has prepared my way – and me – to face whatever it may be. It’s the essence of the words from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians:

“… we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence.” (2 Cor. 4:14)

It’s incredible that Paul could write such affirming words to the Corinthian congregations, given that they proved to be such a troublesome community of believers. As a people, they were spiritually rich, blessed with talent and resources, with time to explore their faith, and his own presence in ministry among them. Paul spent more time in Corinth, preaching and teaching, leading worship, instructing them in the Christian faith, and raising up congregational leaders, than he did anywhere else in his ministry amongst the gentiles. Even with all these advantages, they suffered through many disagreements, divisions, factions, and splits. They argued amongst themselves, they complained to Paul about each other, and they complained to each other about Paul. Sometimes we try to idolize the New Testament Church, but in truth they could be just as much a mess as us. The current-day Church, with our fights, disagreements, and splits, really doesn’t have anything on the 1st century Corinthian church and their whining, complaining, back-biting, overbearing super-spirituality, and noxious self-righteous attitudes. But, even amidst all that mess, Paul wrote these amazing words:

“… we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence.” (2 Cor. 4:14)

Think about that. The God who fashioned all that is, who spoke and nothing became everything, who formed humans from the dust of creation, who set the universe into motion and gave life purpose and meaning, is the one who raised Jesus from the dead and, we are promised, will also raise us. Our God promises to raise us from the death of our sin, our broken spirits, and our self-centeredness to life in Christ – a life of grace and peace, a life of faith, and to a life in the very presence of God. That’s an amazing, comforting, and incredible word of hope.

Even though we’re imperfect, even though we so often fail to be the kind of people God calls us to be, even though we, like the Corinthians, need a great deal of work to move toward perfection in God’s love, what Paul says for them can also be said for us. Yes, we too shall be brought back from death, from the brink of oblivion, from the grave of our souls to life with Christ and to life with each other. God does this: it clearly doesn’t depend upon us. Paul continues:

"So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal." (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

Even though we’re ephemeral, even though we have but a short time to live in this life and then we’ll die, “even though our outer nature is wasting away” our inner selves are being “renewed day by day.” What we face – including our own divisions and conflicts – are nothing but a “slight momentary affliction.” What may seem insurmountable to us – our finitude – isn’t a challenge to God. We are temporary and soon to pass away, but God’s grace is eternal and will never leave or forsake us. Yes, no matter how difficult things may become, it will always give way to God’s “eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.” What we can see around us is nothing but a temporary condition; what we cannot see – the amazing destiny that God has for us – is eternal.

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Cor. 5:1)

Some of us are facing the tribulation of physical illness: sickness, disease, cancer, the loss of sight and mobility, the difficulties of mental deterioration … often it’s just the ravages of getting older combined with the blessing of not having died. Even amidst all of this, we are assured that, because of Christ, these physical and mental challenges are but temporary. They cannot prevail against God’s love for us in Jesus. Even if we die from them – and we will all, eventually die – they cannot and will not have victory over us. Likewise, our sins, while a persistent problem for us, cannot and will not have victory over us. Our inner nature is being renewed, day by day. God’s grace renews us, strengthens us, transforms us, and gives us life.

© 2021, Dr. Gregory S. Neal
All Rights Reserved