DYING TO GIVE LIFE

“For we who live are constantly
being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake,
so that the life of Jesus also maybe
manifested in our mortal flesh.”
2 Corinthians 4:11
New American Standard Bible

The Apostle Paul suffered many things during his missionary journeys. Because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he suffered physical, emotional and spiritual warfare, yet he endured so that many would come into the faith.
Paul’s determination is awe-inspiring. Rather than murmur, complain or give up, he counted it a privilege and honor to suffer for the cause of Christ. He understood that ‘the cause makes the martyr, not the punishment.’ Paul boasts of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 and says, “Five times the Jews have given me their punishment of thirty-nine lashes with a whip. Three different times I was beaten with rods. One time I was almost stoned to death. Three times I was in ships that wrecked, and one of those times I spent a night and a day in the sea. I have gone on many travels and have been in danger from rivers, thieves, my own people, the Jews, and those who are not Jews. I have been in danger in cities, in places where no one lives, and on the sea. And I have been in danger with false Christians. I have done hard and tiring work, and many times I did not sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty, and many times I have been without food. I have been cold and without clothes.”
Paul constantly put himself in harm’s way because of his “load of concern for the churches.” He was willing to physically suffer and experience the ‘fellowship of Jesus’ suffering for two reasons: so that the life of Christ would be manifested and so that he could experience the power of Christ resting on him.
Not only did Paul love God, he loved God’s people. He labored so that they would come to the faith and travailed so that they would mature in the faith. Paul said, “I will gladly spend myself and all I have for your spiritual good, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.” He was thoroughly convinced, persuaded and determined to propagate the gospel of Christ, regardless of the consequences or the response from those he faithfully served.
Are you willing to suffer for the cause of Christ? Do you find it a privilege to suffer for righteousness’ sake so that others can experience the life of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to die to yourself so that others can truly see the life of Jesus? In the same manner that Christ willingly laid down his life so that we could live, we must follow in his footsteps so that the life of Jesus can be manifested in our bodies and in the world.