4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
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Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
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Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
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The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
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Future Grace
Argues that faith in God's future grace frees believers from the enslaving power of sin.
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God's Big Picture
Traces the storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a clear, Christ-centered way.
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Concise Theology
Short, Scripture-filled summaries of key doctrines, written with clarity and warmth.
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The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
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Trusting God
Encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love in every circumstance.
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Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
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Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
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The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
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The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Summarizes key doctrines of Scripture in concise questions and answers.
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Preaching and Preachers
Classic lectures on the nature and power of biblical preaching.
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Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
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The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Puritan classic on learning contentment in God in every circumstance.
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The Hiding Place
The story of Corrie ten Boom's faith and forgiveness in the midst of Nazi persecution.
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