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. 2 Corinthians 4 16:18
Some questions arise here. What are we focusing on? Is it visible or might it be invisible? Are we looking upon our outward man who is perishing or upon the inward man who is being renewed day by day?
Scripture informs us that unlike our outward man that is perishable, something else takes place within our inward man. Our inward man benefits, in a peculiar way, from those things that corrupt the outward man, he changes. He is transformed for the better; he is renewed and comes to be more like Jesus Christ, our role model. Those things that we would expect to harm us, do nothing more than train us. Those things which are but a light affliction as scripture says, come into our life, yet instead of weakening us, they make us even stronger!
Surely it is difficult to resist the temptation to focus on the ravages of time, the hardships, the sorrows, the circumstances of life which come upon us. If we consider however, that all these things are temporary and at the same time they impart the knowledge of eternal glory to us, then our attitude will change.
Our attitude must change, as our purpose is to finish the race. Like marathon runners we are not to tire, but to sustain our strength throughout the whole duration of the race. And at this point the Word of God provides us with the key to success. The act of renewal that takes place within us, led by the Holy Spirit, is what we need to direct our attention toward. All other distractions which are connected with our outward corruption will come to weaken us and will slacken our pace. You and I however, need to maintain our pace in this race in order to cross the finishing line, outright victors!
Pastor Paris (Athens)
Some questions arise here. What are we focusing on? Is it visible or might it be invisible? Are we looking upon our outward man who is perishing or upon the inward man who is being renewed day by day?
Scripture informs us that unlike our outward man that is perishable, something else takes place within our inward man. Our inward man benefits, in a peculiar way, from those things that corrupt the outward man, he changes. He is transformed for the better; he is renewed and comes to be more like Jesus Christ, our role model. Those things that we would expect to harm us, do nothing more than train us. Those things which are but a light affliction as scripture says, come into our life, yet instead of weakening us, they make us even stronger!
Surely it is difficult to resist the temptation to focus on the ravages of time, the hardships, the sorrows, the circumstances of life which come upon us. If we consider however, that all these things are temporary and at the same time they impart the knowledge of eternal glory to us, then our attitude will change.
Our attitude must change, as our purpose is to finish the race. Like marathon runners we are not to tire, but to sustain our strength throughout the whole duration of the race. And at this point the Word of God provides us with the key to success. The act of renewal that takes place within us, led by the Holy Spirit, is what we need to direct our attention toward. All other distractions which are connected with our outward corruption will come to weaken us and will slacken our pace. You and I however, need to maintain our pace in this race in order to cross the finishing line, outright victors!
Pastor Paris (Athens)
