You Must See the Invisible
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) The Apostle Paul was being afflicted and he’s contrasting the lightness of his present affliction with the great weight of glory that shall be ours in the future. He’s contrasting pain and glory; and, then he’s contrasting that which can be seen and that which cannot be seen.
I. What’s Reality Really?
a. There’s a visible physical world, and there is an invisible spiritual world, and they co-exist simultaneously. The invisible spiritual world was here first and what’s not seen is more real than what is seen (Hebrews 11:1-3). The visible is made of the invisible. Things that are seen were first made of things that can’t be seen. The invisible was here before the visible. Before there was anything to see, touch, taste, hear, or smell, there was the invisible Spirit of God and the Word of God that brought all these things into being. The invisible was here first.
b. God made everything out of nothing. The invisible world was here first. The visible is made from the invisible. The invisible world will outlast the visible world. Everything we see is subject to decay. It’s temporary. And if you’re living for the things that are seen, you’re in for a big surprise one day.
II. What Do I Do About it?
a. What good does it do for me to know that there’s an unseen world? There are vital resources there that have been given to you. First, knowing that there’s an unseen world is a great benefit when you’re in trouble (2 Corinthians 4:3-18). Paul says we’re like a clay pot; only special because of the treasure we have inside! But the enemies of Christ hate the treasure. But, they will see Jesus in you when you react to trouble, heartache, sorrow, and pain like a Christian ought to. But how did Paul endure all of the persecution and suffering? He tells us, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [here it is!] while we look NOT at the things which are seen, but at the things which are NOT seen.”
b. When you’re in trouble for standing up for the Lord Jesus Christ, fix your eyes upon those things that cannot be seen, because when you do that, God is going to give you supernatural strength. Looking unto Jesus! The Apostle Paul says, “I don’t understand it all, but I fixed my gaze upon the things which are not seen and it never fails me.” In times of trouble, you must see the invisible!
c. Second, when you’re afraid, you must see the invisible (2 Kings 6:8-17) Elisha’s servant couldn’t see the vast angel army surrounding their enemies, but he prayed and God opened the spiritual eyes of the servant. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps round about those that fear Him.” There’s a massive unseen army out there prepared for battle on your behalf (Psalms 68:17). When we’re afraid, we should pray, “Lord, open my eyes. Help me to see, Lord, that You are with me.”
d. And third, in times of temptation, you must see the invisible (Hebrews 11:1; 24-27). Moses could have had it all, but “he refused” and “he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” In times of trouble, you must see the invisible. In times of fear, you must see the invisible. In times of temptation, you must see the invisible. That’s what’s going to keep you going; that’s what’s going to bring you through. If it worked everybody in this book, it’ll work for you too!