2 Corinthians 4:13-18

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Reflection:

The church in Corinth faced many challenges and there was a temptation for them to abandon and let go of God’s message, especially in the face of all the competing messages of the day. In this heartfelt exhortation, Paul encourages the Corinthians: (1) to not lose heart, (2) to withstand suffering in order to achieve the eternal glory that far outweighs them all, (3) and to focus not on what is seen and temporary but on what is unseen and eternal. The power to not lose heart, to withstand suffering, and to focus on the unseen is based on the reality that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Him. This new found reality of the Spirit that is alive and active in every believer enables us to live out our Christian lives.

Response:

Whether we have been Christians for a long time or perhaps we are a new believer, there is a temptation to get distracted, to let go of what we have received, and to focus on what is seen. But Paul’s encouragement is that this is contrary to who we are. He is confident that one day we will share in Jesus’ glory. This truth of our eternity is already active now. What is unseen is already happening through Christ’s resurrection, and we are right along with him! Today let’s pray and affirm the truth that the Spirit is already active in our lives and that we can live as new people. Let’s pray that the hearts of those in our communities would be strengthened, that those who are discouraged and tired would be renewed.