By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher
Text: Corinthians
4:1-18
1
Corinthians 4:17-18
For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 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.
(NKJV)
The news of events
occurring in the world today is full of lies, defeat, and fear. In this text,
the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians to be people of truth, victory, and
faith. While Paul wrote these words to the Church in Corinth, they have
application to the Church of today living in turbulent times.
The text begins by reminding
the Corinthians that the ministry of Paul was received in mercy so Paul and
those with him did not lose heart (2
Corinthians 4:1). Paul presents the Gospel as a
manifestation of truth with nothing hidden and no deception (2
Corinthians 4:2). The only veiling in Paul’s presentation
of the Gospel is a veil over the minds of those that are perishing since their
minds are blinded by the god of this age (2
Corinthians 4:3-4). The manifestation of truth in Paul’s
presentation of the Gospel is the manifestation of Jesus and not Paul or those
with him (2
Corinthians 4:5). God who commanded light to shine has
given Paul the light of Jesus Christ in his heart and what he shares when
presenting the Gospel (2
Corinthians 4:6).
The treasure of the
Gospel present in each believer is in earthen vessels of flesh so that its
power is of God and not man (2
Corinthians 4:7). Oppression, perplexity, and persecution
cannot stop the presentation of the Gospel when it is presented in the power of
God (2
Corinthians 4:8-9). Believers in Christ as Savior carry the
dying of the Lord Jesus in their bodies, forgiving them of sin and the victory
of the resurrection of Christ providing eternal life (2
Corinthians 4:10-11). The struggles of Paul and those
accompanying him indicate death working in them that brings life to the
Corinthians through the presentation of the Gospel (2
Corinthians 4:12).
Paul, those accompanying
him, and the Corinthians have the same spirit of faith speaking what they
believe (2
Corinthians 4:13). This spirit of faith also knows that He
who raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead will cause those having faith in
Jesus as Savior to also experience resurrection (2
Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Paul says these
things for the sake of the Corinthians that grace may cause thanksgiving for
the glory of God (2
Corinthians 4:15).
Paul’s faith is not in
the outward man which is perishing but in the inward man which is renewed day
by day (2
Corinthians 4:16). The afflictions of this life are light and
only last for a moment, leading to a more exceeding and eternal glory (2
Corinthians 4:17). Faith is not looking at what one sees,
but in what is not seen. Things seen are temporary with things unseen eternal
because they are the result of faith (2
Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 11:1).
Paul did not want the
afflictions he and others experienced in this world to separate the Corinthians
from the truth, victory, and faith we have in Jesus.
1)
Truth (2
Corinthians 4:1-6) – Those choosing to place their belief
in Jesus as Savior are entrusted with the greatest truth in existence, becoming
ministers of the Gospel to a lost world (2
Corinthians 3:16). While this truth is foolishness to a
world dominated by Satan, it remains the only truth that can save one from
eternal separation from God (1
Corinthians 1:18).
2)
Victory (2
Corinthians 4:7-15) – On earth, the treasure of the Gospel
is stored in our fleshly, corruptible bodies, knowing that our corruptible
bodies will put on incorruptible bodies like the resurrected Christ (1
Corinthians 15:53-54). We have within us as believers the same
Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Romans
8:11)
giving us victory to declare that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah
54:17).
3)
Faith (2
Corinthians 4:16-18) – While the body of the flesh grows
older and with age perishes, in Christ the inward man loses conformity to the
world and experiences transformation through the renewal of a mind no longer
focused on the flesh but on God (Romans
12:1-2). This is a faith not focused on the circumstances of
life one sees but an eternal unseen hope of eternity with the Lord (Hebrews
11:1).
It is this faith founded on truth that brings victory to one placing their
faith in Christ.
The words of Paul to the
Corinthians remain true for the Church today which must not allow the
afflictions of this world to separate it from the truth of the word of God, the
victory we have in Christ, and our faith in Christ. While this statement seems
elementary in our theology, evidence in many churches today demonstrates how
easily Satan can deceive churches into adopting false theology. The decline in
Church attendance after the COVID lockdowns has tempted many churches into
accepting gay marriage as normal, sex reassignment surgery, and even abortion
as acceptable surgical procedures. This deception of Satan causes the
leadership in these churches to believe this will boost attendance and
contributions. Eventually, this will lead to drifting away from the truth of
God’s word which speaks against these practices (Deuteronomy
23:1; Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13; Romans 1:26-27).
The Church of Jesus Christ must remain true to the truth of God’s Word for it
is the truth with those placing their faith in it that brings victory in one’s
life (John
10:10, 16:33).
If you are reading this
and have never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus your Savior, I
invite you to do so by praying with me,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans
3:23)
and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans
6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse
me as you promise in your Word (1
John 1:9). I believe
you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now
declare you Lord of my life.
May God challenge,
convict, and bless everyone reading this post.
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