Through the Bible - Exodus 33-34, Matthew 23:1-22
Good morning,
Yesterday's verse called us to "set our minds on things above" and we considered how in doing so, Jesus is able to lift us out from under the circumstances that we find ourselves entrenched in.
For todays verse we'll go to 2 Corinthians
2 Cor 4:18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. NLT
or from the NIV:
2 Cor 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV
The verse tells us that the things that we have to endure now are temporary. They may last for a moment, an hour, a season or even a lifetime, but no matter how long it is, in comparison to eternity they are momentary. The way that we hold up, or should I say "lifted up" and supported by God reveal character.
The verse tells us that the things that we have to endure now are temporary. They may last for a moment, an hour, a season or even a lifetime, but no matter how long it is, in comparison to eternity they are momentary. The way that we hold up, or should I say "lifted up" and supported by God reveal character.
J.R. Miller in "My Will -- or God's Will", writes, "The true test of life--is character. Everything else is extraneous, belonging only to the husk, which shall fall off in the day of ripening! Character is the kernel, the wheat--that which is true and enduring. Nothing else is worth while--except that which we can carry with us through death, and into eternity!
It is altogether possible that a man may fail of winning any earthly greatness, any distinction among men, anything that will immortalize him in this world's calendars--and yet be richly and nobly successful in spiritual things, in character, in a ministry of usefulness, in things which shall abide--when mountains have crumbled into dust! It is possible for one to fall behind in the race for wealth and honor--and yet all the while to be building up in himself--an eternal fabric of beauty and strength!
What is the standard of success in the sphere of the unseen and the eternal? It is the doing of the will of God. He who does the will of God--makes his life radiant and beautiful, though in the world's scale he is rated as having altogether failed in the battle. He who is true, just, humble, pure, pleasing God and living unselfishly--is the only man who really succeeds--while all others fail.
Really, there is no other final and infallible standard of living. One who writes his name highest in earth's lists, and yet has not done God's will--has failed, as God Himself looks at his career. "
What is the standard of success in the sphere of the unseen and the eternal? It is the doing of the will of God. He who does the will of God--makes his life radiant and beautiful, though in the world's scale he is rated as having altogether failed in the battle. He who is true, just, humble, pure, pleasing God and living unselfishly--is the only man who really succeeds--while all others fail.
Really, there is no other final and infallible standard of living. One who writes his name highest in earth's lists, and yet has not done God's will--has failed, as God Himself looks at his career. "
We may fall behind in the race for wealth and honor in the world's eyes, but this is all temporary. What will count, what will endure, will be how we are looked upon in God's eyes, for trusting, enduring, and persevering in doing His will.
If you've been tempted to give up, to throw in the towel on your faith, don't. Read the passage from The Message below. Fix your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.
2 Cor 4:16-18 "So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. (from THE MESSAGE)
We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. (from THE MESSAGE)
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