If you are also a follower of Jesus (as I am), are you looking forward to a new body, along with a new Heaven and new Earth? (See 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1-4, and the following verses in each passage.) I suspect that this is true for most – if not all – of us.
This “outer person” [2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB] is going the way of a fallen world, wearing out and getting beat up. We don’t have to give up on our current bodies immediately, though, like a car you keep driving even though the heater doesn’t work and you can see the road through the rust holes in the floorboards, we manage to keep ourselves going (with God’s help to sustain us). However, these mortal shells don’t remain in “like new condition”, as we take on not only challenges of time spent in a fallen world, but also opposition (inflicted by evil forces) to a life lived for Jesus.
Paul offers hope, though, even while we are living in broken bodies within a cursed, fallen world.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Despite the wear and tear on these “jars of clay”, what is inside of us is fresh and new. That light from knowing the glory of God in Jesus Christ (see verse 6) is kindled inside of us.
Since that light comes from knowledge of God through Jesus, I envision this light just getting brighter and brighter over time: not because God changes, but because we learn more and more about Him as we remain in Jesus.
A commentator [Baker, p.193-194] pointed out how, for Paul, his body is decaying while his spirit is growing. We shouldn’t focus only on how our bodies are subject to entropy, but also on the growth that continues in our spiritual lives as we continue to commit them to Jesus Christ.
However, we cannot – and should not – expect to get through troubles on our own. After all, if we could just “tough it out” and tell other people how we got through trials, it would become about us, rather than about how God helps us through situations that we have no capacity on our own to endure.
How about you: Are you willing to boast about your weakness, especially compared to God’s strength? I have struggled to even admit some of my struggles in life, but as I learn and – hopefully – mature, I have realized that my issues create opportunities for God to show His power through me. Sometimes, He helps me overcome (or just get through) a problem. Other times, He must know that it is better for me to continue in a battle. That doesn’t remove the frustration and hurt, but it does give it purpose. I hope that you can find the same understanding that I’m working towards. Paul did, and he offers the same knowledge to us, so it’s up to us to not merely read and acknowledge it, but also to grow into an understanding of it. I hope that you will join me on that journey.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 12, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, May 12, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 2 Corinthians, by William R. Baker. © 1999 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 