I was reading 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, and I realized that afflictions are producing anything, they are bringing out what is already present. Let me explain from the word. Paul begins the text by saying that our outward man is decaying but the inward man is being renewed day by day. Then he says that the "lightness of momentary afflictions,"work out for us. He is saying that the "light" afflictions are working out what is already in us. It is not us working out, it is being worked out in and through us.
He uses a literary device that ironically compares what we think is heavy to what really has weight. Our temporary light afflictions can't compare with the more and more surpassing "eternal" weight of glory. He is comparing what we think to be such a long duration of suffering to what is really eternal. Our afflictions will end but what is brought forth is eternal and is heavy. What the apostle is doing is tearing down one paradigm and constructing another. He wants us to look past the pain and see the coming forth of glory.
We have pushed the result to an after-life reward beyond death as a reward for our patient endurance. But eternal is not automatically defined by an after-life application. It is just defining the everlasting results and not passing it off to a future age. But rather the afflictions are uncovering more and more surpassingly, an eternal weight of glory. That means that what is brought forth in the affliction will not only last for eternity but will also be weighty with the glory of God in the present. It is much like when Paul says that God's grace was sufficient; power is perfected in weakness. When we are in the midst of afflictions it is the weight of His glory that guides us and empowers us through. It is a now and later glory that never ends.
Don't worry when the outward man weakens; there is an eternal weight of glory being worked out for us as each new day dawns.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
ReplyDelete12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 (BBE)
12 So then, my loved ones, as you have at all times done what I say, not only when I am present, but now much more when I am not with you, give yourselves to working out your salvation with fear in your hearts;
13 For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure.
When most people read this they believe it is about figuring out if they are saved or not. When all the time Paul is asking us to let out what God has already put in us. How do we know this..."13 For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure. " It goes back to do we believe what we feel or do we believe What God says.
Most of what God tells us through Paul is about letting the finished work of Jesus out ..To trust what has been done and what it means to our knew life in Christ. The "work out your own salvation " is the finding of what it means to you. Letting it work from the inside out.
Trusting that God is in control.