DOWN BUT NOT OUT

Many of us have probably said or thought of the phrase, “down but not out…” Or, maybe “out but not down.” To even say this might be to admit to hanging on by a thread…or being close to defeat but not defeated.

The apostle Paul said similar things: “ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Tough text right there.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Another tough text but the hope is simply: “our inner self is being renewed day by day” and we are “being prepared for an eternal weight of glory.”
(Second Letter to the Corinthian Church, chapter 4)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus