S = 2 Corinthians 4:1, 16-18
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| "Inner Light" Photo by Greg K. Dueker (2025) |
O = This chapter begins with the
declaration that, having received what they had by the mercy of God, Paul and
his companions did not “lose heart.”
Now, at the end
of the chapter, we see their testimony again: “We do not lose heart.” While physically, we all begin to waste away as we age. Some
illnesses, accidents, and poor decisions all impact the rate at which we waste
away… but no one escapes it. However, what is inside of us, what Paul called
“our inner self,” can and should be renewed each day. But are we? As we age, are we becoming more infused with the light of eternity? Paul said that
it depends on what we look at.
On one hand, if
we allow the temporal things to become our focus, we can become envious and
frustrated, growing increasingly angry, bitter, and unpleasant to be around.
Paul called the deadly affliction he faced “light” and “momentary,” despite having
a more extensive resume of suffering than most of us will ever face (see
Chapter 11).
A = It seems that the older we get,
the thinner our skin gets, both physically and spiritually. What is inside of
us becomes more visible as our ability to hide the condition of our soul
diminishes. Some people shine even brighter than ever with gladness and
gratitude, while others complain and criticize nonstop.
Paul was
realistic. He saw firsthand the toll, on top of normal aging, that persecution
could exact upon people. However, though he suffered terribly, he never became
bitter, for he looked to the unseen things which are eternal. If we focus on
greed and fear surrounding temporal things, we will become even more temporal
as we distance ourselves from our eternal inheritance. If we focus on faith and
hope upon that which is eternal, then eternity will creep into every aspect of
our lives.
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| Photo by keem-ibarra on Unsplash |
As followers of Christ and as leaders in the church, the question we face is, to what will we look today, this week, and in this season? To the volatility of our worldly investments or the security of our eternal investments? Will we be easily shaken by bad news, bad weather, bad politics, and bad people? Or will we be encouraged by the overflowing goodness of God and the continual working of the Holy Spirit on our behalf? Will we mourn what is passing/wasting away or rejoice in what is progressively being revealed?
In his letter
to the church at Philippi, Paul shared how he applied this concept in his life.
He not only had
left his failures, mistakes, and other sins behind at the cross of Christ, he
had learned to consider even what he had previously considered to be his
qualifications and commendable qualities as loss, even as garbage or dung, when
compared to the riches of knowing Christ Jesus and sharing in both his
sufferings and in his resurrection (Phil. 3:3-11).
When you read 2
Corinthians through, it sounds very similar.
P = Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Gracious
Holy Spirit, thank you for saving me from my sins and naturalizing me into your
eternal kingdom. Please show me how to see the daily inroads of eternity and
not get so tied up in knots by what you call transitory things. Please give me
eyes to see how you value people, things, events, etc., so that I won’t be
fooled by their false promises. Your word says that every good and perfect gift
comes down from you, Lord, and I am grateful. However, sometimes I get confused
about what is good and perfect, so please keep teaching me! Amen.
