The fellowship of the cross

We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. — 2 Corinthians 1:9

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional The Lord of the Rings, a simple, good-hearted hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins is entrusted with a dangerous mission. Together with a group called the Fellowship of the Ring, he must defeat the forces of evil by returning a magic gold ring to the fires of Mount Doom from which it was forged.

Along the way, evil stalks Frodo. Battles are lost. Friends die. Reflecting on such tragedies, Frodo confides in his wise friend Gandalf, “I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish that this had never happened.” Gandalf replies, “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All you must decide is how to use the time that is given to you.”

In the “fellowship of the cross,” a servant of Christ is also tested. Like Paul, we may feel crushed under the weight of circumstances (2 Cor. 1:3-11). The path seems too steep to climb. We wonder if there is a dawn beyond the darkness.

Though we may not choose our circumstances, we do choose whether to trust God (2 Cor. 1:9). Through the fellowship of the Son  and the enablement of the Spirit, we can carry out our mission for God (1 Cor. 1:9; John 16:13).

Trust Him to guide you along the way. He offers wise counsel. — Mart De Haan

Then in fellowship sweet, we will sit at His feet

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go —

Never fear, only trust and obey. — Sammis

READ:  2 Corinthians 1:3-11

You can trust God in the dark as well as in the light.

The Bible in one year:

• 2 Samuel 14-15

• Luke 17:1-19