Renewing of the Inward Man

II Corinthians 4:16-18

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

There is one reason they faint not and we do not have to faint for the same reason as well. That is, though the outward man perishes, the inward man is renewed day by day. The outward man is the physical body that houses the inward man, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the Lord’s and so is our body. The inward man is holy and so should we not defile the outward man, for our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Death for our mortal bodies is a sure thing to happen. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”. Death is certain and we must realize that this world is temporary for us. We are sojourners here on earth and our permanent abode is in heaven with the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17) and with Christ our co-heir (Romans 8:17)! Oh, how I look forward for that day when my vile body will be transformed unto His glorious body (Philippians 3:21)! But as long as we dwell here on earth let us not get carried away by the world and its lures for they are simply futile compared to the heavenly fruits and eternal gains that come along with them.

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Our afflictions are light and totally incomparable to the afflictions of Christ. Paul, the apostle says in Colossians 1:23-24: “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.” Paul rejoiced in his sufferings knowing fully well that his afflictions are way behind and much lacking compared to the afflictions of Christ for His church. Also, our afflictions are but for a moment and they work for us a wonderful benefit more precious than the current life: eternal weight of glory.

Let us not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen. What is seen is temporal but what is unseen is eternal. Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” If we mind the temporal things of flesh the end result is death but when we are spiritually minded the end result is glorious full of life and peace! Are you fixing your eyes on carnal things or on the spiritual things? If your focus is on fleshly things, realize that what the fleshly things bring unto us is mere devastation. Look unto Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

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