Bible Points

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says:

Though I am in this world, and find my existence in it, I would go crazy if I focused all my thoughts and affections on it, or attempted to obtain any lasting pleasure or peace from it. There would be a constant discouragement.

Our outer man is decaying. One paraphrase of the Bible puts it, “Outwardly we are wearing out”. Whether that be naturally, or through our own negligence, or by the hand of an abuser or murderer, the outer person, a.k.a., our earthen vessel (2Co 4:7) and mortal flesh (2Co 4:11) is perishing. Because of Adam’s fall each one of us is born to die (Romans 5:12) because of sin’s curse. But if you are a Christian, your “inner man is being renewed day by day.”

If you are a Christian, “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6) The Spirit of God “abides with you and is in you” (John 14:17). It is He, the Spirit of the Living God, who sanctifies you, transforms you, and conforms you (inwardly) into the image of God’s, Jesus the Christ (Romans 8:29).

2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” God is constantly getting His true children ready for eternity. Everybody suffers. It’s just the consequence of living on a sin-cursed planet, in sin-cursed bodies, among sin-cursed people. But God uses our suffering, even decreeing it, to make us more like Christ. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Ours is a “momentary, light affliction”. Since life is like a vapor (James 4:14), so is our suffering compared to the “eternal weight of glory” that’s ahead for the believer. Our suffering is momentary…we endure it just for a “little while” (John 16:17; Hebrews 10:37; 1 Peter 1:6; 5:16), until we die in the Lord, or until He comes to get us (John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

Christians will enjoy “an eternal weight of glory”. It’s a “coming glory that outweighs any of today’s difficulties.”

The Christian’s response to suffering and obligation to Christ, is to live this life not looking at the things which are seen…not fixated on the things which are temporal…but looking at and longing for the things which are not seen…the things which are eternal.

Revelation 21:2-4 says, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.“

So Christian, don’t lose heart, don’t be discouraged. Look to Jesus Christ and lean into and rest upon His precious promises for your future. Your suffering is momentary, temporary, and light compared to what’s ahead for you in glory in the presence of Jesus Christ. Rest assured. He’s coming soon. “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21).