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Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up.
2 Corinthians 4:1 CSB
What is this ministry?
Paul has just written of it in Ch2, it's the living letter of Jesus, it's living not in their own wisdom but in the Spirit, it's knowing that the reflection of God's glory, his righteousness found in Jesus is what makes us able to see God to be right with him, its that gift that leads to freedom, the transforming, the shaping and changing of us as a result...that ministry...
Yes the world, people who we thought were or should be allies, may be against us. 
Even our own bodies may seem to battle against us. 
In the losses and grief's and hurts of life we do not give up. That's Paul's encouragement.
He doesn't give up becuase of the mercy he has received, he does not forget it. 
This life does hurt. It would be easy to give up. 
God is good.
His mercy does endure forever.
You are beloved.
Little by little God is changing and shaping us 
One day all will be made new.
It's by Grace that we stand.
So keep living in the light of that truth, there is goodness, joy, hope, redemption, freedom, and resurrection there. 
#donotgiveup
#corinthians
#youareBeloved


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