¹⁷ “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸ 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.” (II Corinthians 4:17-18)

In this passage, Paul describes the focus of the Christian life. We are not to focus on earthly temporal things (our present condition). We are to focus on eternal things: that which is incorruptible and lasts forever… like the incorruptible crowns and heaven itself. We are to focus on things that are invisible, i.e., our spiritual life hidden away with Christ, crowns not yet seen, and an invisible coming Savior.

 The term, “LOOK” (σκοπέω) means “to keep thinking about, ponder, fix attention toward, look towards an object, to contemplate”. (We get our English word “scope” from this Greek word – as the scope on a rifle which puts its target in the cross hairs. It is a present participle, indicating continuous action. We are NOT to continually look at the things that are seen. We ARE to continually look at the things that are not seen.

There is at first glance, something illogical about this statement: We are told to continually look at that which cannot be seen. But Paul’s point is well taken. It makes perfect sense spiritually. It is what we have been talking about all through this study: we are to be looking unto Jesus, whom we cannot see with our physical eyes, but we can focus on Him with our eyes of faith. By faith Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). It was with the eyes of faith that Moses forsook Egypt, “seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). His eyes were on the invisible, and it moved him to forsake the world in favor of the things of God. Paul also spoke of “invisible things” which are “clearly seen” (Romans 1:19). The language here is not all that unusual. We are to continually look at the things that are not seen. There is a whole invisible realm out there that we are to focus on: God, angels, heaven, High Priest, heavenly sanctuary, the throne of God, incorruptible crowns, a city whose builder and maker is God, etc. We are to focus on those invisible (but real) things.

First Paul commands us NOT to look at the visible, earthly things, and then he gives us the reason why: “for” the things which are seen are temporal. It is because they don’t last! The visible things are like the corruptible, laurel crown that athletes almost kill themselves to achieve (I Cor. 9:25), and are like the treasures and trinkets of the world – that people almost kill themselves to acquire! They don’t last either. In Proverbs 23:5, Solomon wrote: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon (focus) that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

Even Solomon warned against focusing on earthly riches. They soon fly away. Recently we have seen much of the wealth of this nation evaporate almost overnight! Why set your affection on that which is only temporal? Why seek that which is temporal? They don’t last.

The things which are NOT seen are eternal. This is what we ARE to be continually looking towards – focusing upon invisible, eternal things. Eternal things by their very nature last forever. They are incorruptible. They are not burnt up as worthless at the Bema; they survive the fire and bring eternal crowns. We can store up treasures on earth that will soon rust and corrupt OR we can store up treasures in heaven that will last forever. Jesus taught this same truth: it requires FOCUS to do so – a single eye… focused on that which has eternal value.

What is the RESULT of a heavenly, eternal focus? Does it aid us in the race (II Corinthians 4:17)? It will enable us to see our life and struggles from a whole new perspective! The earthly struggles and battles that cause us so much heartache here, and seem so overwhelming, will be seen as a “light affliction” from heaven’s vantage point! Consider what the apostle Paul endured (II Cor. 11:23-28). “In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” This he described as a “light affliction.” He was not lying. From heaven’s point of view it WAS a light affliction.

From heaven’s perspective, the battles that seem to go on and on and on – will be seen as “but for a moment” – even if that moment is the rest of our lives! (Remember that from heaven’s vantage point, our whole life is but a vapor!) Eternity’s focus is the CORRECT one. It is the TRUE spiritual reality. Looking at our lives through the lens of our natural eyes, this present world system distorts the true spiritual picture. Like a bent mirror at a carnival, it exaggerates the gain of earthly trinkets and minimizes the value of eternal things. Eternity’s focus will ENCOURAGE us to run the race with patience. And as we focus on Christ, we are nourished and empowered to run. Focusing on the things of earth will cause Christ to seem distant… afar off… unconcerned… uncaring… unloving… – a completely distorted and inaccurate picture. Paul knew how important focus is in running the race. Focus is everything!

“Wherefore we labour that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (II Corinthians 5:9-11)

In this passage we learn that Paul served the Lord in the present focused on the future. This gave a sense of URGENCY to his earthly ministry, and in particular, persuading other men to believe on Christ and be saved! Dwelling on eternal things does not result in a life isolated in an ivory tower, disconnected from the world and the people in the world. Dwelling on the future, eternal things ought to give the present a sense of urgency. Time is fleeting; the Judge stands at the door; the end is near; Christ could return at any moment… the summer is past and many are not yet saved! Today is the day of salvation… tomorrow may be too late. Paul tells us that he diligently labors, so that his work might be acceptable before the Lord. Why is he so concerned about the faithfulness and quality of his service for Christ? Because he knows that soon he will stand before the Bema and give an account for his earthly life, and that he will receive either a reward or a loss of rewards. In verse 11 Paul stated that knowing that the Lord is coming and that we must all stand before Him, caused him to FEAR and tremble (in a spiritually healthy way. Every tiny aspect of his earthly service would be evaluated by Christ. (motives, intentions, quality, purpose, etc.) This terror, a fear (φόβος – phobos) of God MOVED him to persuade men. Fear moves people. It moved Noah to build an ark. It moved Paul to preach the gospel. It should move US to preach the gospel too – the Lord is coming! It should move us to warn men to flee from the wrath to come! God gave Paul (and us) the ministry of reconciliation. We have a responsibility to tell others about the Savior. One day we will be evaluated for whether we were faithful stewards of this glorious gospel message or not. This should cause us to have a healthy fear of God too. And the fact that Christ could come any day should give us a sense of URGENCY in telling others. I don’t mean that we should all sign up to be an oversea missionary. But we should all acknowledge that we are missionaries right here and now. We are stewards of the mystery of God… the mystery of the gospel. And it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. Thus, focusing on eternal things greatly affects the way we live our earthly lives. Jesus Christ came to seek and save sinners. We can’t say that we are focused on the Savior and are unconcerned about salvation of the lost. If His heart is beating in our breast as it ought, then we will persuade men to be saved, for today is the day of salvation.

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (II Peter 3:11-14)

 Peter concurs with Paul on this point: focusing on eternal things will produce a heart desire to see others saved. The fact that all the temporal things of earth will one day be dissolved has an effect on the manner of persons we ought to BE today, namely godly and holy. Would you deposit all your money in a bank that you knew was soon going to collapse and be a total loss? In light of God’s revelation for the future of this world, storing up treasures here is not that sensible. Therefore, storing riches in heaven is a good idea. Suffering loss in this life for eternal riches is wise indeed!

In verse 12 Peter writes that we should be “LOOKING for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” in which eternity is ushered in. That is to be our FOCUS. In verse 13 he states that we are to LOOK for a new heaven and new earth. This old earth will be dissolved with a fervent heat. Why invest so heavily in property that you know is going to burn down and be a total loss? Is that sensible? In verse 14 he states again that because we LOOK for eternal things, we will be concerned to found blameless before the Lord. FOCUSING on eternal things affects our earthly lives for the good… for the eternal good! And with eternal things before our mind’s eye… LOOKING for that new heaven and new earth, which replaces the present earth slated for destruction, we will naturally be concerned about the SALVATION of those all around us, for they too are slated for destruction unless they come in contact with the gospel and are saved. And that is OUR responsibility. Focusing on heavenly things… (spiritual things – eternal things) does not DIMINISH our concern for the lost. It ought to fill us with the fear of the Lord and a zeal and motivation to want them to know the Savior too!

Focus is everything.