Focus Not On What Is Seen

The Anti CHRIST ministries and ministers of doom whose source of power is from the marmalade makes many in JESUS CHRIST feel their God is failing them.

The qet rich quick and the affluent LIFESTYLE of such ministries makes it look like the genuine ministries in JESUS CHRIST is a failure. Oh NO don't be fooled FOR GODs sake. Such people have a short time in their glittering LIFESTYLE.

Now follow me to look at God's own interpretation and advice to us as CHRISTIANS.

2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 HCSB
Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 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.

~~To the unbelievers eyes Christians don't look any better from those in the world who sin at will. Christians themselves sometimes get upset and question God when they look around and do not see any material gains. No sign of economic progress, instead poverty, lost of jobs, infertility, chronic diseases and worst of all, Churches are being attacked and worshippers killed in cold blood.

It is on the back drop of this that I would like us to meditate on this passage as we unpack it. Let's begin by taking brief look at the life of Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. As an Evangelist full of the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed the Gospel to people outside Israel. Jesus Christ Himself voice called Paul yet, that didn't make his ministry a bed of roses, he was opposed, threatened, arrested, cast out, whipped, he was stoned to "death", imprisoned and filled killed.

And it wasn't Paul alone, John the Baptist, the greatest prophet was beheaded, James was murdered by Herod, Peter escaped from prison only to be crucified upside down in Rome, all the disciples of Christ died very painful deaths. John lived the longest yet he died in exile on the Island of Patmos. Before Constantine become a Christian, the people of Rome entertained themselves watch lions tire Christians into pieces. Time does not allow me to tell you of all the Christians who were and are being put into dungeons or burnt at the stake for their faith all around the world.

Now, look with me again at the 2nd sentence of verse 16 "Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day." Christ said take heart for I have conquered the world. You may think you're suffering too much but God sees someone ready to enter into eternity. You may appear poor yet you don't lack anything you need for your short time on Earth. What is important is the preparational work being done by God's Spirit inside you as you endure the hardship of sanctification.(separation from habitual sin)

Paul hits the nail right on the head when he says in vs 17 "For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory" Reminds me of a song my father used to play by Jim Reeves, "this world is not my home I'm just passing through".

When God wishes, He gives prosperity and long life to His children, but Bible and history has shown us clearly that riches corrupt and those who go after wealth end up as slaves to Satan. And having been taught by our master Christ Jesus that the world and everything in it is passing away, in fact He says everything your eyes can see will one day be no more, let's focus on spiritual things.

That leads us to a proper conclusion of the whole matter, "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." Now will be a good time to take a second look at the opening sentence of our passage, "Therefore we do not give up"!!!

Whether we live in riches or in poverty, good health or bad, favoured or maltreated, long life or short life, we have children or no children, whether we see success for our hard work or not, we refuse to do as sinful men do but rather go after every work which brings glory to our Father in heaven. To Him alone be all glory forever and ever. This may sound hash or even we may be called names it doesn't matter.

God bless us and keep us in His Own GLORY.