For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 There is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales–in this side he puts his people’s trials, and in that he puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to …

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If Christ Be in You

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Rom. 8:10) This is another way of describing the separation in each believer between the new creature in Christ and all that remains outside of that new creation — and remains carnal. When we are saved, we are planted into His death – and we find that our body of sin is dead because of His death for our sin. We are also planted into His resurrection, and this joining of our spirit with Christ makes us alive with …

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Treasure in Earthen Vessels

Reflections But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Cor 4:7) This is another picture of, “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27) But it is a picture that stresses the distinction between ourselves and Christ. He is the Treasure and we are the earthen vessel. We will never be the Treasure. Indeed, even while Christ is in us, and we are one with Him in spirit, He remains distinct. He carries all of the value. We are privileged to receive and experience …

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The Apostle John’s Overcoming Word

By Joe Southerland The Greek word, nikao only appears 24 times in the Bible. Of those few uses, the apostle John selected the emphatic and powerful word nikao twenty one times to weave a biblical golden thread linking the centrality of Christ with the dramatic struggles during the most pivotal end times events. Nikao means to literally or figuratively conquer, prevail, get the victory or overcome. In the KJV Bible, the most common translation of the word is “overcome.” The Greek verb nikao, from the root noun nike (victory) appears only once in the New Testament, but we shall include …

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Christ Made Unto Us All Things

That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Cor. 1:29-31) Passages like this one are intended by God to show us that Christianity is not a matter of us being made to look like Jesus. Rather, it is a matter of us being crucified so that the Christ who is in us might be seen. God does not make us, or give …

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