Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~1 Corinthians 4:16
Sight is humans most powerful sense, and yet it is sight that hold us back from seeing God. We see what's right there in front of us and all to often we miss what God might have for us.
It all started in the beginning with Adam and Eve. Eve saw what was there hanging from the tree and she took it thinking it would be good. Then Adam, seeing Eve, took the fruit from her hand. They walked with God in all his glory and still their sight failed them.
Paul is telling us two key things in this passage. The first is to renew our inward man day by day. How many times does God tell us to do this. To meditate on His Word. To pray daily to Him. To pray daily for others. To help each other. Renewing our inner man while the outer man fades because it is our inner man that is eternal.
Secondly, Paul tells us to do what is so hard to accomplish. He tells us to focus on the eternal. To focus on the unseen. Our afflictions, whether they be physical or mental, are but fleeting things that have no meaning in eternity. How often do I not do this!
"I would read my Bible today, but..."
"I tried to pray everyday, but..."
"Fasting!? I've thought about trying it, but..."
My list could go on and on. How long would yours be? How often do you focus on the seen and not the unseen. If you believe the saying that seeing is believe, then your belief lies in the temporary and not in the eternal. Put away our most powerful sense and let God do a mighty work in you!
Easier said than done, I know. But I will be praying that we can see God without our sight and put our faith in the unseen, the eternal, and renew our inner self day by day.
Sight is humans most powerful sense, and yet it is sight that hold us back from seeing God. We see what's right there in front of us and all to often we miss what God might have for us.
It all started in the beginning with Adam and Eve. Eve saw what was there hanging from the tree and she took it thinking it would be good. Then Adam, seeing Eve, took the fruit from her hand. They walked with God in all his glory and still their sight failed them.
Paul is telling us two key things in this passage. The first is to renew our inward man day by day. How many times does God tell us to do this. To meditate on His Word. To pray daily to Him. To pray daily for others. To help each other. Renewing our inner man while the outer man fades because it is our inner man that is eternal.
Secondly, Paul tells us to do what is so hard to accomplish. He tells us to focus on the eternal. To focus on the unseen. Our afflictions, whether they be physical or mental, are but fleeting things that have no meaning in eternity. How often do I not do this!
"I would read my Bible today, but..."
"I tried to pray everyday, but..."
"Fasting!? I've thought about trying it, but..."
My list could go on and on. How long would yours be? How often do you focus on the seen and not the unseen. If you believe the saying that seeing is believe, then your belief lies in the temporary and not in the eternal. Put away our most powerful sense and let God do a mighty work in you!
Easier said than done, I know. But I will be praying that we can see God without our sight and put our faith in the unseen, the eternal, and renew our inner self day by day.
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