Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Temporary...

Yep, long time no post. Se here's one.

I came across this statement today on another blog. Read and reflect for a moment.

For the Christian, all misery is temporary.

For the non-Christian, all pleasure is temporary.

That is a profound statement, is it not? That is a statement that expresses the reality of what our perspective as believers in Jesus Christ should be. When we are in the midst of situations that are painful and that seem hopeless and that will never end. When we are tempted to scream out "Why God???" and wonder, as the psalmist did, whether He has abandoned us. When we see those who have no knowledge of Christ living lives of luxury and pleasure and wealth while we struggle by with little. Do we really believe this? Are we fully convinced of the fact that, as the Apostle Paul states in Romans 8, that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us..."? Is this our view and perspective and foundation for looking ahead with hope? Can we also say, as Paul continued, "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." If we base our view and perspective on the eternal and unchangeable truth and promises of God, as revealed in His Word, and as covenanted in His Son and attested to by His Spirit, then we will be able to do so.

I think this statement should be foremost in the mind and view of every follower of Jesus Christ. "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 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."