Theme Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4: 17- 18
" 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 (KJV)."
2016 was a year of Job-like testing for the people of God. We went through hell and high water, suffering and affliction, persecution and discouragement. I can think back last year when my mom suffered a three-month nervous breakdown. God had allowed the enemy to put affliction on my mom. I prayed and cried for the deliverance of my mom. It seemed that God has distant and wasn't hearing my prayers. However, when it feels like God has distance himself from you and you don't know how you are going to make it, the Word of God will always reassure you that Jesus will never leave you and will see you through. A couple of months prior to that Situation, I had studied 1 Corinthians 4: 17- 18, which says:
" 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 (KJV)."
So when this affliction came upon my mother, God directed back to that Scripture and I reassured myself that my mom wouldn't always be in the situation she was in. I am rooted and grounded in the Word of God and sincerely do believe the Scripture is God-breathed and contains power. So I stood on that word and sure enough, one week before her birthday (which was what I ultimately prayed for), my mom has delivered and taken up to another dimension in God. Now you can't tell me "Prayer does not work" because I do not know who you are praying to, but I prayed to the Lord and I can testify that it works! You can't tell me that "The Bible has no power to it" because I tried it and it works! Hebrews 4: 12 states, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (KJV)."
Today, I am briefly going to discuss the pinpoints of the theme scripture, 1 Corinthians 4: 17-18.
1. For our light affliction
Our afflictions are light. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 10: 13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (KJV)." Basically, it is saying God will not put on you more than you can bear. Jesus also said in Matthew 11: 30, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (KJV)." The things that we go through in life, compared to Christ's suffering and our future glory, are nothing. The bible says in Romans 8: 18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
2. Which is but for a moment...
Not only is our affliction light, but it doesn't last forever. It lasts for a moment. Our affliction is brief. While you are in your affliction, it never looks brief. However, once God pulls you out of it, you look back and say, "Wow...That wasn't even as long as it seemed." When we are rescued from our trials, we then see them in their true form: minute and momentary.
3. Worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:12, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him..." The Bible also says in 1 Peter 4:13, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." When we suffer for Christ, we are rewarded by reigning with Christ. I am reminded of Acts 5 when the Apostles were beaten publicly. When they were in their trial, they didn't cry and throw a pity party so everyone could feel sorry for them and bring them some flowers and food. They didn't tell God, "Lord, why me? I am an apostle! Why am I being beaten worse than a child? I go to church, Lord! I have healed many and added some much souls to the kingdom! Why am I suffering?" No! They left that place praising God and rejoicing that they were counted and seen as worthy to suffer for Christ's sake. It is an honor to suffer for Christ's sake. Let's take a look at 1 Peter 4: 12- 19, which says,
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the
spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let
none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. "
It is better to suffer as a Christian, than as a criminal! When you suffer for Christ's sake, you give your life to him. Suffering for Christ's sake is symbolism that says, "Lord, come what may, my life is in your hands. Lord, no matter what, I am not going to give in or give up. I am going to run this race. I am going to be faithful." Suffering is a declaration of your faithfulness. That why you count it joy to suffer. That is why you should rejoice because you have been counted worthy to prove yourself to the master and show the master that through it all, you will still stay on his side. You will still stay on his side of the battle. That is why when you suffer for Christ- when you show him your faithfulness, he can -in return- show you his faithfulness by having your reign with him.
4. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen...
This is where faith steps in. Hebrews 11: 1 states "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." When you faith- when you stand on his promises- you have the ability to not look in the carnal realm. You have the ability not to look at your issue. You have the ability not to listen to what the doctor says, or what the lawyer says, or what the teachers say; but you took at what God says about you and the outcome of what you are going through. Faith gives you that ability because it is what makes up- it's the very essence of the things which we are praying for and hoping for and believing God for. It's what proves that the outcome of your situation will not be negative even though the it looks like it. One time I was in a situation that required faith. I was about to loose hope when God told me, "Hold on to faith even when the facts prove against it." Let me tell you a recent testimony about what happens if you hold on to faith.
One Friday evening, a convention was being held at one of the sister churches of my church and I wanted to go. My mom had said we couldn't go that night, but we would go the following night. However, I ignored that answer. Instead of giving in, I took my shower, put my clothes on, and got ready for church. My brother and sister told me "Micah, you are not going !" a bunch of times, and Mom told me the same thing a bunch of times as well. BUT I STILL held on to my faith and I increased by faith by quoting the word of God, singing praises to God, and assuring myself that "God can change any mind and any heart, God has the final say so. When Jesus says yes, nobody can say no!" Then, alas, my Mom told me one more time that we weren't going and I calmly closed my eyes, turned around, and went into my room. I didn't undress right then and there, I didn't throw a temper- tantrum. Instead, I sat quietly. God then spoke to me and told me that he was going to reward me earthly and eternally for me holding on to my faith even in the midst of denial, after denial, after denial. And immediately after he said that, my mom called me. She then said, "If your dad does go..." That was all I needed to hear. I thanked God for that. God then told me, "I told you I was going to reward you." That goes to show you what faith can do when you look at the things which aren't seen.
5. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
One Friday evening, a convention was being held at one of the sister churches of my church and I wanted to go. My mom had said we couldn't go that night, but we would go the following night. However, I ignored that answer. Instead of giving in, I took my shower, put my clothes on, and got ready for church. My brother and sister told me "Micah, you are not going !" a bunch of times, and Mom told me the same thing a bunch of times as well. BUT I STILL held on to my faith and I increased by faith by quoting the word of God, singing praises to God, and assuring myself that "God can change any mind and any heart, God has the final say so. When Jesus says yes, nobody can say no!" Then, alas, my Mom told me one more time that we weren't going and I calmly closed my eyes, turned around, and went into my room. I didn't undress right then and there, I didn't throw a temper- tantrum. Instead, I sat quietly. God then spoke to me and told me that he was going to reward me earthly and eternally for me holding on to my faith even in the midst of denial, after denial, after denial. And immediately after he said that, my mom called me. She then said, "If your dad does go..." That was all I needed to hear. I thanked God for that. God then told me, "I told you I was going to reward you." That goes to show you what faith can do when you look at the things which aren't seen.
5. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
This can go both ways. This can refer to this present life, this world, this earth which is temporary and how the next life and Heaven (New Jerusalem) is eternal. This can also refer to our present situation. What we are in does not last forever. It doesn't last always. We can say that with assurance because faith is our evidence to prove it. However, the outcome of our situation is eternal. When God heals us, do we ever find ourselves with the same sickness? When God delivers us from sin, do we ever find ourselves doing that sin again? We may be tempted, but we never do it again? When Jesus casted out demons, did those demons ever enter that person again? No! That's because when Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36). Indeed is a word that confirms a fact already stated. So when you are free indeed, you are free totally. That goes to show you that the outcome of the situation is eternal, not the situation itself. Just because you have been in a situation all your life doesn't make it eternal. Because, on the other side -in glory, there is no pain nor death nor sickness nor sorrow for the former things are passed away ( Revelation 21:4). Whatever we used to go through, we will go through no more. So I encourage you, don't give up. Don't forfeit the fight. Don't forfeit the crown. Keep on fighting the good fight of faith because trouble don't last always!
