Sometimes we find ourselves so wrapped up in life’s struggles, that we lose sight of the bigger picture of eternity. Paul the Apostle had this in mind when he wrote to the Corinthian congregation, “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17; CSB). Paul then provides a coping strategy for suffering in the next verse, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
So, how do we implement this strategy of focusing on the “unseen?” The answer lies in the previous verses. The verse immediately before the two quoted above says, “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Renewing (changing) who we are on the inside (our heart) is the way we prepare for eternity with God. God knows this is impossible for any human to do, so he sent his own Son Jesus to provide the way for inner heart change to be accomplished. Although Jesus has done the “heavy lifting” work of the Cross, God waits for us to cooperate with Christ’s finished work and choose surrender. We must surrender our thoughts, feelings, desires, ambitions, motivations, and actions to his. Not just some, but ALL of them.
; Now, since verse 16 begins with the word “therefore,” we must stop and ask ourselves what it is “there for.” How. When, Where, and What would cause us to want to give up, and not reap the benefits of inner change? Paul lists some ways our outer world can try to break us. “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:8-11). We may face difficulties of varying types and intensities. Our physical bodies have limitations as to their abilities to function, but our natural man is not the end of the story.
Paul continues with a reminder of the supernatural power of God indwelling believers in Jesus Christ. “So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you. Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:12-15).
Our commitment to Jesus is expressed by ongoing willingness to submit to God’s authority and live our lives for what matters to him. As we allow our hearts to be changed from the inside out, we are raised to greater and greater heights of victory over the setbacks of living in our natural bodies. The supernatural (“unseen”) wins over the natural (“seen”). Jesus reigns more and more in our thoughts and actions. Holy Spirit empowers us more and more. And, we experience closer and closer intimacy with father God. Surrendering our ways to God’s ways, on a continual basis, is the path to renewal.
As individual believers undergo inner transformation, each is made a more useful tool in the Master’s hand. The combined success of the Body of Christ is fueled by the dedication and passion of each of its members (1 Corinthians 12). For unity of the Body to be achieved, and the mission to be accomplished, we must take seriously, our individual obligation to inner transformation.
It’s all about Jesus. Christ likeness is what we are being transformed into (2 Corinthians 3:18). May we say with Paul, “Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him” (Philippians 3:8; CSB). Heavenly-mindedness is also a theme in Paul’s letter to the church in Colossians, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).
In the midst of those “earthly things” causing struggles, let’s allow them to point us to Christ who is our only eternal hope. Until that day when life on earth is done, the pieces of our heart already transformed into heaven’s likeness, will enjoy a little heaven while on earth. For more details on how inner transformation works, see some of my other articles.
by Ed Hersh, Blue Rock BnB Healing Ministry
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