Exhibit A

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love …

2 Corinthians 6:4-6

The translators have obscured the divisions which the apostle indicates in this paragraph. There are three major groupings of thought. The first group deals with the adverse pressures a Christian can encounter in life. The second group describes the character that must be displayed in the midst of these pressures. And the third group deals with the results produced, both good and apparently evil. Paul fully exemplifies all these things! It is not likely that we will be called upon to endure all these experiences, but we will surely be asked to endure some of them. Let us remember that the world around is watching us, and only the manifestation of what Paul lists here will commend us to those who are watching.

The key to all of this is endurance. It means far more than simply toughing it out. Even a non-Christian can endure hardness in that sense, and some take great pride in their ability to do so. The Greek word used here, hupomone, goes far beyond that. It is the courageous triumph which takes all the pressure and emerges with a cheer! It not only refuses to be broken by the pressure but is actually grateful for the opportunity to endure, knowing it will bring glory to God.

What was the secret of such endurance? It was never by a clenching of Paul's fists and a determination of his will to show the world how much he could take for Christ. No, the secret of triumphant endurance was the new covenant — everything coming from God, nothing coming from me!

There was a certain kind of character he possessed which saw him through his troubles. First, there was purity. This refers to the careful avoidance of all sin which defiles or stains the flesh or spirit. Next, there was knowledge. His mind was deliberately set upon truth as he had learned it from the Scriptures and revelations of the Lord. Third came forbearance. By nature Paul was impatient and hard driving. But he learned by the Spirit to wait for others to catch up, to be understanding about their weaknesses, and to wait quietly for the Lord to do the work of correction. Finally, there was kindness. This is the sympathetic sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease and shrinks from giving pain.

These marks of Paul's character were what enabled him to endure. But there was something deeper even than these. The four characteristics of purity, knowledge, forbearance, and kindness were visible to other people. Deeper still, in the depths of his spirit, were the forces that undergirded and kept on making possible the display of the four characteristics just listed. Behind everything else and at the root of it all was the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit's constant delight to release to Paul at all times the life of Jesus. Jesus himself lived in Paul and upheld and empowered him, just as he lives in us and upholds us and empowers us through all our trials and tribulations. This life of Jesus was continually supplied to Paul through the Spirit, explaining all that he was and did. No wonder Paul could handle life the way he did!

Thank you for the new covenant, Lord. Teach me to live in such a way that everything comes from you and nothing from me.