“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4.6).   But, Paul goes on to say, this awesome light and knowledge are put into our weak earthly bodies so that all may know the “surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Paul experienced multiple troubles but he knew where the power source was, so in verses 4.8-10, he could say that he was

• Afflicted in every way, but not crushed
• Perplexed, but not driven to despair
• Persecuted, but not forsaken
• Struck down, but not destroyed
• Always knowing the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus could be manifested.

For Paul, his ministry was about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Since the essence of the gospel is the Son’s death for our sins and his resurrection on the third day -all done according to the scriptures as noted in 1 Corinthians 15.3-5 – Paul had great hope in the worst of times that God would “raise” him.  He would not be crushed, despairing, forsaken or destroyed because God would bring him through affliction, perplexity, and persecution the same way he raised Jesus from the dead.

The sacrifice of Jesus meant giving His life so that many would have eternal life.  Paul sought to imitate, in a human way, making a sacrifice in order to present the life-giving message of salvation.  This same sacrificial attitude is what powers many believers to minister to the poor, the grieving, the persecuted, and the unbelieving in such a way that any complicating indignities are borne faithfully, knowing the power source for true change.