Salvation of souls

## **Dying to the Flesh, Living in the Spirit: A Reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:16**

*“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”* (2 Corinthians 4:16)
This verse holds a profound truth that speaks deeply to my soul and faith journey. It reveals a powerful Christian paradox that every believer is called to embrace—the ongoing tension between our physical frailty and the spiritual renewal that Jesus offers every moment of every day.


### **Dying to the Flesh**
To “waste away outwardly” is to recognize the reality of our human weakness—our bodies age, suffer, and sometimes fail. Yet, this physical limitation is not to be feared or dismissed. Saint Paul calls us to *die to the flesh* in the sense of turning away from sin, selfishness, and the desires that separate us from God.

As Romans 6:6 reminds us: 
*“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”*
In my life, this dying to the flesh is felt deeply in both bodily healing and spiritual surrender. Offering my past sufferings for the salvation of souls is a participation in the mystery of the Cross—embracing weakness so that Christ’s strength may shine through.


### **Living in the Spirit**
Yet, this physical “wasting away” is accompanied by an inward, daily renewal. The Spirit of God breathes new life within us, creating a vibrant, living union with Jesus. This presence is constant—every moment spent with Him, whether in prayer, listening to Scripture, Eucharistic Adoration, or surrendering daily cares, is life-giving.

Romans 8:9 affirms this reality:
*“The Spirit of God dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”*

Living “24/7” with Jesus means that the Spirit renews my soul continuously, shaping me into Christ’s likeness and granting
strength beyond human limits.


### **A Sacred Paradox to Embrace**
This dual reality—dying to the flesh yet living in the Spirit—is not a burden but a source of hope and peace. In weakness, God’s grace is made perfect:
*“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”* (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Through this mystery, I become a living testimony of God’s transforming power, echoing the words of Saint Irenaeus: 
*”The glory of God is man fully alive.”*
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May this reflection encourage all of us to persevere in faith, embracing our human frailty as the fertile ground where God’s grace works marvelously to renew our soul day by day.
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