The Eternal Blessings

“...we not considering the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are not lasting, but the things which are not seen are everlasting.” (2Corinthians 4:18)

The first phrase refers to what is happening in the previous verse. “For the lightness of our present affliction works out for us a far more excellent eternal weight of glory,” (2Corinthians 4:17) In other words, what difficulty, trouble or persecution that we are experiencing is nothing when compared to the eternal reward of glory it’s working in us, because we are looking toward and anticipating things that are eternal and not seen. Paul wrote to the Romans a similar thought, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)  

The things we see are not eternal. They are earthy and will be destroyed with this world. “...because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:16-17) Walking by faith is believing in the unseen things. “...for we walk by faith, not by sight; (2Corinthians 5:7) This faith is related to hope. Hope is not wishful thinking or optimism but believing and trusting what God has said. It is the conviction of the things we don’t see. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Jesus conferred a blessing on those who would believe without seeing when He spoke to Thomas who said he would only believe if he was able to put his finger in the wounds Jesus had from the crucifixion. “Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29)

We will not list and study all the promises made by Jesus. Some have categorized them into ten great promises. We will look at those related to our salvation. First is the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with the Father. “And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us.” (2Corinthians 5:18-19) With forgiveness we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit and given eternal life. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, so that He may be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him nor know Him. But you know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17) If that were the only promises, that would be enough, but the Lord didn’t stop there. We became the children of God with an inheritance and spiritual blessings that abound in our life now and in the next world. “...in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14) The Lord’s presence is with us always. “... And behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20b) And He gives us gifts to serve His people. “And above all things have fervent love to yourselves, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another, without grudging; each one as he received a gift, ministering it to yourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen.” (1Peter 4:8-11) The blessings of the Lord don’t end there but are eternal. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, who has loved us and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” (2Thessalonians 2:16-17)

In essence, the blessings and promises of God are eternal and not perceived by our natural senses. The things of this earth, the good things don’t compare to them. And the difficulties and hardships of this world are not worthy of a second thought compared to the eternal rewards and blessings of the Lord. But we look with the spiritual eyes of faith to the eternal, disregarding what we see, hear or feel in this natural world.