LOOKING AT THE ETERNAL

LOOKING AT THE ETERNAL

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18
“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.”

Supporting Texts: Hebrews 11:1, 13-16; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 6:19-21; Romans 8:18; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:3-4

Description: Looking at the eternal means fixing our hearts, faith and priorities on the realities of God that outlast the temporary circumstances of this present life.

INTRODUCTION

Life constantly presents us with things that demand our attention. We see challenges, disappointments, financial needs, sickness, opposition, achievements and material possessions. What we see can easily become more real to us than what God has promised. Yet Paul teaches believers not to live primarily by what is visible, but by what is eternal.

The things that are seen are temporary. They can change, disappear or pass away. Wealth can increase and decrease, positions can come and go, circumstances can change, and human strength can fail. But the things that are not seen—the promises of God, His presence, His kingdom, His glory and our eternal inheritance—remain forever.

Therefore, the Christian must learn where to look. What you continually look at will influence your thoughts, emotions, decisions and direction. When you look only at your problems, fear grows; when you look at God's eternal realities, faith rises. God is calling us to lift our eyes above the temporary and fix our hearts on the eternal.

1. DO NOT ALLOW TEMPORARY THINGS TO CONTROL YOUR LIFE

The visible world is real, but it is not permanent. We must therefore refuse to allow temporary circumstances to determine our ultimate values and decisions.

a. Material Possessions Are Temporary (Matthew 6:19-20) — Earthly treasures can be lost, stolen or destroyed, but heavenly treasures endure forever.

b. Human Positions Are Temporary (Psalm 75:6-7) — Positions and titles change, but God's authority and purpose remain constant.

c. Present Circumstances Can Change (Psalm 30:5) — What you are experiencing today is not necessarily what you will experience tomorrow.

d. Earthly Life Is Temporary (James 4:14) — Our time on earth is brief, so we must live with eternity in view.

Biblical Example: Abraham looked beyond the temporary comforts of earthly cities and lived as a pilgrim because he was looking for a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:9-10).

2. LOOK BEYOND WHAT YOUR EYES CAN SEE

Faith enables us to see beyond physical circumstances. What God has prepared may not yet be visible, but it is nevertheless real.

a. Faith Sees the Unseen (Hebrews 11:1) — Faith gives confidence concerning realities that have not yet become visible.

b. God Works Beyond Human Sight (Isaiah 55:8-9) — God's ways are higher than our natural understanding.

c. God's Promises Are Greater Than Present Evidence (Romans 4:18) — Abraham believed God's promise even when circumstances appeared contrary.

d. Spiritual Vision Produces Courage (2 Corinthians 5:7) — We walk by faith rather than being governed by what our physical eyes perceive.

Biblical Example: Elisha's servant saw an army surrounding them, but Elisha saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:15-17).

3. KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD'S ETERNAL PROMISES

The promises of God provide stability when everything around us is changing. We must allow God's Word to become more influential than temporary circumstances.

a. God's Word Endures Forever (Isaiah 40:8) — Human conditions change, but God's Word remains established.

b. God's Promises Give Hope (Romans 15:4) — Scripture strengthens us to continue believing when fulfilment appears delayed.

c. God's Promises Give Direction (Psalm 119:105) — The Word provides light for our journey.

d. God's Promises Produce Patience (Hebrews 10:35-36) — We need endurance to receive what God has promised.

Biblical Example: Joseph held on to God's purpose through slavery and imprisonment until the promise concerning his destiny became reality (Genesis 37:5-11; 41:39-41).

4. SET YOUR HEART ON ETERNAL THINGS

Our attention determines our priorities. When our hearts become fixed on eternity, we begin to value what matters most to God.

a. Seek Things Above (Colossians 3:1-2) — Believers are commanded to set their affection on things above.

b. Store Up Heavenly Treasures (Matthew 6:20) — We should invest our lives in things that have eternal value.

c. Live for God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) — God's kingdom must take priority over earthly concerns.

d. Guard Your Heart From Worldliness (1 John 2:15-17) — The world and its desires are passing away, but the person who does God's will abides forever.

Biblical Example: Moses rejected the temporary pleasures of Egypt because he considered the eternal reward greater than earthly treasures (Hebrews 11:24-26).

5. LOOKING AT THE ETERNAL GIVES STRENGTH IN AFFLICTION

When we understand that present suffering is temporary, we can endure without losing heart. Eternal glory gives us perspective in difficult seasons.

a. Present Suffering Is Not Permanent (2 Corinthians 4:17) — Our present affliction is temporary compared with the glory to come.

b. God Can Use Trials For His Purpose (Romans 5:3-5) — Trials can produce endurance, character and hope.

c. Eternal Glory Is Greater Than Present Pain (Romans 8:18) — Today's suffering cannot be compared with the glory God will reveal.

d. God Will Ultimately Reward Faithfulness (1 Peter 5:10) — The God of grace will establish and strengthen His people after suffering.

Biblical Example: Paul endured imprisonment, persecution and hardship because he understood that his present suffering could not compare with the eternal reward ahead (2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 2 Timothy 4:7-8).

6. ETERNAL VISION PRODUCES GODLY PRIORITIES

When eternity becomes our focus, our choices change. We begin to ask not merely, “What will benefit me now?” but, “What will honour God and matter for eternity?”

a. We Prioritise God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) — Eternal priorities place God's kingdom first.

b. We Value People More Than Possessions (Mark 8:36) — No earthly gain can compensate for the loss of one's soul.

c. We Invest in God's Work (1 Corinthians 15:58) — Labour done for the Lord has eternal significance.

d. We Pursue Holiness (Hebrews 12:14) — Those who are conscious of eternity will take their relationship with God seriously.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus changed his priorities after encountering Jesus, demonstrating that a genuine encounter with Christ can transform our relationship with possessions and people (Luke 19:1-10).

7. KEEP LOOKING UNTIL YOU FINISH WELL

The Christian journey requires persistent focus. We must not allow temporary distractions to make us abandon the eternal destination.

a. Run With Patience (Hebrews 12:1) — The Christian life requires endurance.

b. Look Unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) — Jesus must remain the focus of our faith.

c. Forget What Is Behind (Philippians 3:13-14) — We must continue pressing toward the heavenly calling.

d. Remain Faithful Until the End (Revelation 2:10) — Eternal reward belongs to those who remain faithful.

Biblical Example: Paul declared near the end of his life that he had fought the good fight, finished his course and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

CONCLUSION

What are you looking at today? If your eyes are constantly fixed on problems, disappointments and temporary circumstances, your heart may become discouraged. But when you look beyond what is seen and fix your attention on God's promises, His kingdom, His glory and the eternal reward, you receive strength to continue.

The things you see today will not last forever, but God's Word, His kingdom and the eternal inheritance prepared for His children will never pass away. Therefore, lift your eyes above the temporary. Look at Jesus, look at God's promises, look at eternity, and keep moving forward until you finish your course.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to keep my eyes on eternal things and not be controlled by temporary circumstances, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from every distraction that is taking my eyes away from You, in Jesus name.

3. Father, strengthen my faith to believe what I cannot yet see, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to value eternal treasures above earthly possessions, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to endure every present affliction with eternal perspective, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let Your promises become more real to me than my present circumstances, in Jesus name.

7. Father, establish godly priorities in my life and help me to seek Your kingdom first, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me spiritual vision to see beyond what my physical eyes can see, in Jesus name.

9. Father, preserve me from losing focus because of delay, opposition or disappointment, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to finish my race faithfully and receive the eternal reward, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall not be controlled by temporary circumstances; your eyes shall remain fixed on God.

2. You shall see beyond your present challenges and receive grace to walk by faith.

3. Your faith shall not fail because of what you see around you.

4. You shall receive strength to endure every difficult season.

5. You shall not exchange eternal treasures for temporary pleasures.

6. Your spiritual eyes shall be opened to see what God is doing beyond your present circumstances.

7. You shall walk in divine wisdom and make decisions with eternity in view.

8. Every temporary affliction in your life shall give way to greater glory.

9. You shall not lose your focus, and you shall not abandon your God-given assignment.

10. You shall finish well, finish strong and receive your eternal reward in the presence of the Lord.