“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” (2 Corinthians 4:17,18).
TEXT — 2 Corinthians 4:6-18
Message
According to Christianity Today, thirteen Christians worldwide are killed daily because of their faith; twelve churches or Christian buildings are similarly attacked, while twelve Christians are unjustly arrested or imprisoned, and another five are abducted. The suffering of believers because of their faith has greatly increased in many nations of the world. Yet, for the believer, the fiercer the persecution, the greater the glory awaiting him.
The catalogue of hardships believers go through can only increase as the devil sees his end speeding closer. Apostle Paul went through a lot in his time. “In stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths, often. 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 weariness and painfulness… in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness”. These afflictions suffered for Christ’s sake, greatly encouraged Paul.
Our present troubles are relatively short-lived compared to the reward God has provided for us (1 Corinthians 2:9). Suffering for righteousness’ sake produces for us an immeasurably, tremendous and everlasting glory. Our affliction is light compared to what Christ suffered for us, the blessings we enjoy, and God’s reward for us.
We should not be discouraged or downcast because of the troubles that come our way as we follow Christ, but rather rejoice and encourage ourselves in the Lord, as we serve Him more purposefully. Above all, we must ensure that we do not suffer for evil doing, compromise or backsliding.
Thought for the day
Look beyond the affliction; there is a glory ahead.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
