2 Cor 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while 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. (NASB)
If we do lose heart along the way in life, there is hope and the availability of restoration through the love and power of Jesus. But is it possible to not lose heart in the first place? We will certainly be tempted and ... I don't personally know anyone who hasn't had seasons of their life in which they lost heart. But, I do know from my experience and from others that, in any given situation, we can successfully "guard our heart" (cf. Pv 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.") from becoming "spiritually damaged". This is different than our heart being temporarily "hit"... which happens simply because we are breathing humans who have a heart in the first place! It's also different than living and relating in a "defensive/self-protected" way. (But that's another 10 blogs!)
The apostle's divine revelation quoted above holds the key to our avoiding the loss of heart in a fallen world. He instructs us to view all the negative and hard things that happen to us as "momentary light affliction". Yet, even beyond this, he states that these very situations "produce" for us their polar opposites in our future..."eternal weight of glory". This is a great height of divine irony and paradox. Have you ever seriously meditated on this reality in light of the pains of your life?
However, there is one more important thing to say. For us to enjoy the peace and security of this truth in our messy present, we must "look" at "things which are not seen"...no small task. (Note: a rather special set of "eyes" is required!) This is the essence of what it means to "walk by faith and not by sight". This is what all the heroes of faith referred to in Hebrews 11 did...even before Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is what it means to be "heavenly minded"...to be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. This certainly includes holding in view our glorious future reward. But that very reward is vitally connected to our living well here and now. It's not about checking out of this world...oh no. Rather, it's about getting a heavenly mindset regarding our earthly circumstances that empowers us to be of some earthly good, for Christ's sake, in a world in which not everything is going well and nothing is going perfectly. And so it will be until He returns and His kingdom is fully revealed. Even so, will I remain His friend over the long haul?
No comments:
Post a Comment