In the bustling streets of Corinth, the Apostle Paul penned a letter that would resonate through the ages, urging believers to fix their eyes not on the woes of this world but on the enduring glory of the next. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Through these words, Paul reminds us that life’s trials are fleeting when compared to the eternal joy that awaits believers.
This world, with its temporal joys and sorrows, is but a shadow of the reality that is to come. Yet, it’s easy to become ensnared by the tangible, to prioritize the immediate over the eternal. But, as Scripture teaches us, we were fashioned for more than just this temporary existence. From the dawn of creation, as chronicled in Genesis, we understand that God’s intention was always for humanity to dwell with Him in eternal communion. God, the eternal and unchanging, stepped into time to create a universe bound by it, and in the midst of this temporal world, He placed humanity, a being fashioned in His very image.
The serpent’s deceit in Eden introduced sin into the world, severing our communion with God. But the narrative doesn’t end there. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s relentless pursuit of His creation. From the promise of a Savior in Genesis to the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, God’s plan of salvation unfolds.
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians serve as a clarion call to every believer. Though we face trials, persecutions, and moments of despair, our hope remains steadfast in Christ. We carry in us the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus might be manifested in us. Our momentary afflictions are shaping us, preparing us for an eternal weight of glory.
Yet, the question remains: How should we then live? With eternity in view, our priorities shift. The treasures of this world fade in comparison to being “rich towards God.” Our lives, then, ought to reflect this eternal perspective. We are urged to live not for the fleeting pleasures of today but for the eternal joys of tomorrow.
The essence of our Christian journey is encapsulated in this: to live with eternity in view. As we navigate the challenges of this life, may we be constantly reminded of the eternal hope we have in Christ.