The Profit Of Understanding Our Eternal Destiny (2 Corinthians 4:17)

I ministered the sermon “Understanding Our Eternal Destiny” on this day at the first service of my local Church. My starting point was the two (2) questions below.

1. What are you living for?
2. Where is your ultimate hope (in a world saturated with fleeting and temporary moments)?

After that, I moved to the key bible verse below.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul stated that their “light momentary afflictions were preparing for them an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”. He understood that the afflictions they were experiencing were qualifying them for eternal glory, which was their destiny in Christ.

Additionally, in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Paul praised God by describing Him as the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” He acknowledged the immense suffering he and his companions endured, describing it as overwhelming and even life-threatening. Paul emphasized that God comforted them in their afflictions, and this comfort served several purposes, one of them being that, ultimately, their deliverance would result in future communion with God.

Context

The context of 2 Corinthians 4:17 is made up of two (2) things. That is, Paul and his companions’ ministry and their testimony.

Their ministry

Paul wrote that he and his companions ministered with boldness and hope because their sufficiency was from God and their ministry was more glorious as compared to that of Moses. They, therefore, beheld the glory (image) of God, which He was transforming them into. However, this was veiled (hidden) to the unbelievers.

Their testimony

Furthermore, Paul wrote that they testified that “they had a treasure in jars of clay” since they always carried Jesus’ death in their bodies. He added that this was so that God could be manifested in their reality.

The Apostle explained that death was at work in their bodies, but they knew that God who raised Jesus from death would raise them with Him and put them in His presence. They, therefore, didn’t lose heart for in as much as their outer selves were wasting away, their inner selves were being renewed daily.

Paul’s understanding of their eternal destiny and God’s glory

Therefore, Paul understood that their afflictions were temporary, but they were preparing them for their future in God’s presence. Because God’s glory referred (refers) to His radiant character and presence. That is, Paul understood that their sufferings were preparing them for their eternal future in God’s presence (Revelation 21:1-4 and 1 John 3:2), where they would commune with Him and be holy and joyful.

No wonder he contrasted their sufferings and their future state in God’s presence using the word “weight”. Because their and our eternal glory could not and cannot compare to anything in their and our present (Romans 8:18). No wonder that Revelation 21:1-4 reveals that there will be no pain, suffering, and death, and we shall be in the presence of God, and we shall enjoy the joy of eternal fellowship.

Consequently, from their understanding of their eternal destiny, you and I can understand our eternal destiny. That our present sufferings in Christ (Christianity) are connected to our eternal destiny in Christ.

The Profit of Understanding Our Eternal Destiny

The sole profit of understanding our eternal destiny that I have gleaned from 2 Corinthians has to do with focus. Being focused will help you and me to live with an eternal perspective/reality. That is, we have to focus on eternal things through:

1. Regular meditation on Scripture: Reflect on verses that speak to our eternal hope, like Romans 8:18.
2. Cultivation of a heart of worship
3. Set our minds on eternal things