Transient

Jan. 4

The Transformed Life, Lesson 3

Read: 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Transient

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

As children of God, we exist with three parts: 1.) The spirit of a person which is brought to life by the Lord and is the part of us that connects with God and deals with the spiritual realm. This is the realest “you”. 2.) the soul of a person which deals with a persons thoughts and emotions, this is the part of us that exists in the “mind” and drives our reasoning and thinking. 3.) The body of a person which connects with the physical realm. These are our three parts and the realms that each interacts with. When they are in correct order, the spirit of a person rules over their soul and body. The soul is an “intermediary” between what is fleshly and what is immaterial and spiritual. In short, with our spirit we connect with the spirit, with our soul we connect with our mind and emotions, and with the body we connect with the physical realm; and when things are aligned correctly, the soul and body are under the control and direction of the spirit.

When we grasp this truth, we can navigate the trials of life and understand more clearly the struggles that we face. Not everything is a physical matter. Not everything is an emotional or rational matter, and obviously not everything is a spiritual matter. We must connect with God in our spirit to be able to refine our thinking and emotions and guide our actions in the physical world. What is hard for us to grasp is that this spiritual realm is every bit as “real” as the physical realm in front of us. In fact, it may be even “more real” if there is such a thing!

Paul declares, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” We are encouraged to lay hold of this reality, that it is our “inner self” that is being renewed. As we are right now, we are a people with “willing spirits” trapped in a “weak body”. Jesus says as much when he comes out to his disciples after praying in the garden: "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38, Matt. 26:41) Often times it is good old fashioned weakness and tiredness that leads us into temptation. We MUST NOT lose heart when this frailty and weakness comes upon us. This physical realm with its “momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.” We must begin to look towards those unseen things - the soul and spirit - in the face of affliction and this physical realm.

The unseen soul and spirit are more “real” - more “lasting” and “eternal” - than those things we contend with here in the physical. hoe do the scriptures put it? “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” What we know… what we are familiar with… is the physical realm. We need to be taught, coached, encouraged, and led into thinking in a new way - a way that leans into the unseen and gives less stock to the passing things of this world. The spiritual world takes priority over this transient physical realm. Likewise, we can just as easily become consumed with our thoughts, ideas, and emotions - forgetting that they are kept in check by the spirit. When we are caught up with our thoughts and emotions, we forget what the word of God says and are often times ignoring the Spirit of God as he connects with our own spirit.

In Christ we are given the opportunity - have had our eyes opened - to the reality of the spiritual realm. Our spirits come to life and we can finally tap into what is “most real”. This allows us to put our present suffering and our weak bodies into proper perspective. WE are not passing away… only our bodies are! Our inner-selves - our spirits and souls - are being strengthened daily by the Lord. Lord, give us that STRENGTH that we need. This is what transforms how we face the adversities of life. Love you guys. - JDP