Word Count: 297

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Ken Barnes

---

Never Lose Hope

by Ken Barnes  
11/24/2022 / Christian Living

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, (2 Corinthian 4:1 NASB)

Paul knew that anyone who preaches or embraces the Gospel would experience resistance. Therefore, Paul urges them to never lose heart.

Paul was speaking primarily to the gentiles or Greeks. Remember that the Greeks thought preaching the Cross was foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23 NASB). Paul’s message to the Greeks was not seeker sensitive; it was “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2b NASB). Paul had purposed to know and proclaim nothing but the simple Gospel message.

Paul was preparing the believers in Corinth for the reality of anyone who embraces the Gospel. Paul knew through his life experience that preaching the simple Gospel would bring complex problems. Therefore, he tells his readers twice in 2 Corinthians 4:1,16 NASB to “never lose heart.” The opposition would come, but there would be victory if we do not lose hope.

The strategy of our adversary, the Devil, is to steal our hope. Resistance over a long time can bring discouragement and hijack our hope. Hope is the John the Baptist of faith; it always goes before it. If the Devil can take away your hope, he has negated your faith. The Bible says that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6a NASB).

Circumstances are real, but they are not the actual enemy. It is the powers of darkness working through them to defeat us. Negative experiences can be for or against us, depending on whether we react in faith or unbelief.

Our great hope is that one day, just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead, so shall we (1 Thessalonians 1:16).  Keep your eye on the prize, and you will never lose heart.

I worked for seventeen years as a missionary with Youth With A Mission. My missionary work has taken me to Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and Ukraine. I hold a Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University. [email protected]

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Ken Barnes

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

---

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer