WHILE WE ARE LOOKING

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 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." (2 Cor 4:17-18, NKJV)

Earlier in this text, Paul mentions some of the experiences his ministry had produced. They included trouble, perplexity, persecution, and being cast down. The dying of Jesus was carried in his own body, he was always being delivered over the death, and death was at work in him (4:8-11). In addition, he acknowledged his "inward man" was being "renewed day by day," even though his outward man was perishing. These conditions had been experienced for about twenty years at the time Paul was writing. The entirety of this experience–something carnal men would write books about–is referred to as "our light affliction, which is but for a moment." How is it that this man of God could so speak? And is it possible for us to do the same?

Paul's awareness of the real situation enabled him to speak as a believer, and not as a mere victim of circumstance. He correctly saw this life as preparatory for "the world to come." Adversity was not simply something that happened to him, but was his employee, working for him. He saw the degree of glory to be experienced will be directly proportionate to the degree of suffering faith produces. Suffering for Christ here accrues a "greater weight" of glory there, tipping the scales, so to speak, in our favor.

The affliction was not overly oppressive but "light," because something better was being developed through it. It was "momentary" compared with the time that eternity will roll her ceaseless cycles on, as we bask in the presence of our Lord. That is really the way it was–and Paul SAW it.

How is it that such an evaluation can be made, and made in truth. Remember, this was not a mere wish, or some fanciful imagination. The assessment was the absolute truth. Paul gives the secret. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." Everyone has to focus on something. There is some facet of our being that will be dominant. Believers can choose to focus on what is happening to them in this world, or they can elect to rivet their minds upon realities faith alone can grasp.

Just as surely as there are "seen" things, there are "unseen" things. These invisible realities are "above, where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God" (Col 3:1). They include God Himself, Christ our Intercessor, and an inheritance reserved for us. There is the matter of our acceptance with God, our names being written in heaven, and a mighty host of angels assigned to be our ministers. Consider the coming resurrection and our new bodies. Contemplate reigning with Christ, and every tear being wiped from our eyes. Think of the peace, joy, and righteousness that come to us from God, together with the "fruit of the Spirit." There are, indeed, "things above"–unseen things that are real, sustain the soul, and can be seen more clearly.

As we ponder matters relating to the heavenly realm, we see our troubles differently. Experiences that otherwise would seem lengthy become "momentary." Burdens that tend to be extremely heavy suddenly become "light." This is an aspect of faith that belongs to all of God's people.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for strength to keep my vision focused on the unseen things--things that are eternal.

-- Monday: BETTER SACRIFICES --