So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, NRSV.
Dear God, we thank You that we are more than “what meets the eye.” May we allow You to bring out the best in us. This we ask in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
One of the greatest fears of human beings, is growing old. I do not believe we are as afraid of the aches and pains of old age, as much as we are, of the visible changes that we see taking place in our bodies. We try to cover up the wrinkles, get rid of the “bags” beneath our eyes, and color the grey hairs as soon as they appear. If that is what makes us feel okay, “so let it be.” In our Scripture for today, the apostle is comparing the durability of the inner person, to the temporary nature of the outer person. It would seem that throughout Scripture, that is the theme: the visible is for a time, while the invisible lasts for eternity (1 John 2: 17). Perhaps the origin of both the visible and the invisible, is what determines their durability or, lack of the same.
The physical person (what is visible) is of the flesh. He or she, is the result of the “will of humankind” (John 1: 13a & b). The Bible describes those born of the flesh in this manner: “[Anyone] that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14: 1, emphasis provided). The inner person is described as being “born . . . of God” (John 1: 13c). The real you, is untouched by what goes on – on the outside. That is precisely why nothing can separate us from the love of God, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38, 39, emphasis provided).
So unlike the person who has only experienced the physical birth, those who are born of God, “do not lose heart,” when the outward person begins to “fade.” They are convinced that they are more than what “meets the eye.” They know that, “charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain” (Proverbs 31: 30). Therefore, they spend their days beautifying the inner-person, which does not wrinkle or deteriorate. They cannot be manipulated by flattery, or depressed by fault-finding, because their attention is placed, not on outward appearances, but on the inner beauty of the soul, or the real person! It is what we become, when God breathes His Spirit within us, and upon us (Genesis 2: 7; John 20: 22)!
Please be aware that there is absolutely nothing wrong with beautifying ourselves! While I personally believe that “Gray is okay,” I find absolutely nothing wrong with coloring our grays when we feel like it. I also believe that if there is a group of people who should be very, very, attractive, for Christ’s sake, it should be Christians. In all things, prioritizing is a necessity. Let us not forget that the the inner person is the icing on the cake, and we should keep it beautiful!
Remember the law of Physics that we have been considering of late? Two bodies cannot occupy the same space, at the same time. Well, we can apply it here. According to the apostle, “this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure! What God is preparing us for, cannot be compared to anything earthly! Hallelujah! We are being prepared for something so much better. The old is giving way to the new! So do not lose heart – “The best is yet to come!”