Paul faces two outcomes: life or death. In the uncertainty of this

situation he remains confident of one thing: his future is wrapped up in

Jesus’ presence. This is the case with us in every uncertain and ambiguous

situation. It’s in this light that Paul encourages the church - with its

disunity and fearfulness - to continue to live out their faith because it

is the Spirit that establishes us in Christ. So, in “whatever happens,” we

can be confident that Jesus is the ground we can stand on. He supplies the

Spirit and others as evidence of his present and coming kingdom.

By Raul Sandoval