2 CORINTHIANS 4:16
There was a fire outbreak at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April 2019. By the time the fire was extinguished, the building’s spire had collapsed, most of its roof had been destroyed and its upper walls were seriously damaged. Many works of art and religious relics were moved to safety, but others suffered damage, and some of the exterior art were destroyed.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron said that the cathedral would be restored by 2024. But a group of construction experts said complete restoration would require twenty years or more.
This spectacular building, with its spellbinding architecture is now being renovated.
What is true of buildings is also true of us. Our bodies, like the Notre Dame Cathedral, will eventually look a bit worn or shabby – needing renewal. But as the apostle Paul explains, there is good news: while we might gradually lose the physical vibrancy of youth, the core of who we are – our spiritual being – can be continually renewed (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Every day our outward man perishes. Our lives can be painful and mentally tiring. As we stumble home from work our bodies ache and our minds cannot think of anything except all of the chores that must be done.
When the unexpected happens to upset our lives, our outward man takes more beatings. How do we continue? Paul says our inward man is renewed day by day.
He is not talking about physical renewal, or even deliverance from our problems (even though this is also possible and cannot be ruled out completely). He is talking about strength of the inner man. God’s Spirit renews and transforms us, especially as we get in contact with His word.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
