1:7 And our hope
for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of
the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
The Bible is a big book. It's not only long, but heavy in
parts, not written as a continuous story, written by many authors covering
thousands of years etc... To invest in the Bible you have to want to. It's a
book to be searched, not just read. And because of the way it is, and the way
we are, certain portions are easier to digest and as a result more popular. In
order to absorb the teachings and main ideas of the Bible certain verses get a
lot of attention. The most famous is obviously John 3:16 because it
encapsulates the entire Story in a few words.
What surprises me is how little attention todays verse gets.
It's beautiful and hope filled, and right on the mark. We know the situation in
Corinth well now after having gone through the first letter. They had issues.
Lots of them. Hey weren't perfect. Not even close. Yet Paul called them saints.
Now here in this 2nd letter he makes a bold and amazing statement.
"Our hope for you is steadfast."
How could he make such a bold statement? How could he call
such struggling church saints destined for the Kingdom? Why? It's simple. They
were engaged in the struggle. Their suffering was proof not of their perfection
but of their pursuit.
Think about Peter. He denied Jesus precisely because he was
right there in the midst of the action. He had not the courage to admit he was
with Jesus but his love for Jesus wouldn't let him be anywhere else.
Satan does not waste bullets. If he is on your trail it means
you are headed in the right direction. That's why Paul could be so bold and
that's why this verse should get more attention than it does. "Our hope
for you is steadfast because we know that just as you are partakers the
sufferings so also will you partake in the consolation."
Remember what Jesus said. "He who endures to the end
will be rescued."
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