Death is at Work in Us

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 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. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
2 Co 4:7–12
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Death is at Work in Us
The devil thinks he has us. We are afflicted and perplexed. We are persecuted and struck down. The world comes at us. The devil lies to us. Our sinful nature plants doubt in our heart. We are attacked on every side. So Jesus puts his death in us. He puts his cross upon your forehead and your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. We carry in the body the cross of Jesus and his resurrection, too. Death is at work in us so that also the eternal life of Jesus' resurrection would be in us, too. We are not crushed. We are not driven to despair. We are not forsaken. We are not destroyed. We are saved from it all by Jesus' work for us. This is the power of God. He has showered you with his love.