Bringing Out Christ’s Life

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

I wish I could have met Paul in the final, mature days of his walk with the Lord. I would have asked him, “Brother, what kept you from fainting and giving up? You were constantly pressed down on all sides.”

I believe Paul would have answered, “Yes, I was pressed down, but I wasn't distressed by any of it.”

“But you write so often of being perplexed by your trials,” I would say.

“True, but never once did I give up in despair,” he might answer.

“You were also persecuted more than anybody.”

“Yes, I was. But the Lord never forsook me through it all.”

Today, Paul’s words testify to the whole world, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NKJV). He wanted God’s people to know, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Paul wrote to believers, “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12).

Remember that when financial problems hit, when physical pain strikes, when your name and character are being defamed, all eyes are on you. Your co-workers, your family members, your brothers and sisters in Christ, even strangers are watching and waiting for your reaction.

What do they see flowing out of you in such times? Do they see faith, trust, surrender? Or do they see a despairing, murmuring Christian who will not entrust himself to the resurrection power of Jesus?

Beloved, let death finish its work in you! Let it remove everything that hinders the flow of Christ’s life out of you to others. Say to the Lord, “Father, I know these troubles aren’t happening to me because you are angry with me but because you are trying to get at something in my soul. Deal with it, Lord. Bring it to death, and out of that death, bring life.”