For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-10a
According to the Apostle Paul, he and his traveling companions suffered much in Asia. At times, they even thought their lives would be lost. Considering the Corinthians' question of how they might endure such tribulation, Paul gave an interesting answer.
He and his friends were already dead. They had all died at conversion.
Simply put, being born-again is death and life, death to life in the flesh and the beginning of life in the Spirit. In this regenerate condition Paul would also say to the Philippians that living is Christ and dying is gain.
In reality, like Paul, we have no control over many of the events that may bring an end to physical life, but we can trust Christ for all eternity, and that is what it means to truly live!
Can we follow the Savior far who have no wound or scar? - Amy Carmichael
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