WHY LIVE A TEMPORAL, CARNAL LIFE? (PART 1).
TEXT
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. (2nd Corinthians 4 verse 18, King James Version).
The Scripture reading for today vividly highlights the existence of eternal things as opposed to temporal things. The question is what things are temporal and what things are eternal?
By attempting to define one, we get the definition of the other. Temporal things are those that relate to time as opposed to eternity. They are things that relate to earthly life as opposed to the things of eternity. For further clarification, eternity as opposed to earthly life is timeless, having infinite duration. For our purposes, eternal things often relates to matters that concerns life after death.
But for a whole lot of people, there's only the awareness of temporal things as opposed to eternal things. Their focus is ever on the things that are seen as opposed to the unseen realities of life. This is so because such people are not educated on spiritual matters or matters of life after death, having had their awareness focused only on things that relate to their earthly existence. These people are basically sense ruled or body ruled. Yet, we have it on good authority that there exists unseen realities of life that are eternal, which are accessible to us by faith as opposed to the senses (see Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1).
But from our study of the Holy Scriptures, we come to the conclusion that God wants us to have adequate knowledge of eternal things. In the Book of the Gospel of Saint John chapter 3 verse 12, the Lord Jesus was heard saying,
"If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" Again, in the Book of Philippians chapter 3 verse 19, Apostle Paul addressed the lifestyle of those that have shown themselves to be enemies of the Cross to include minding earthly things.
Basically, to mind earthly things is akin to being carnally minded; while on the other hand, it's spiritual mindedness to focus on heavenly things. In this regard, the Bible in Romans chapter 8 verses 5 to 8 does not only define carnality, but goes on to highlight its consequences:
"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
As Christians, and having been raised with Christ, we have been counseled as to what things we focus on in life. In Colossians chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, we have it spelt out thus:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
This defines the Christ-like life that we have so desired to live. it's a life from above, a separation from the things of the world! It's a life that has its focus on eternal things, not on temporal, sensual, carnal or things of the flesh. It's basically a life in the Spirit. As Christians, we achieve this life when we "seek" or "set our affection on things above, not on things on earth" (Colossians 3 verses 1 to 2). It calls for discipline and focus on our part, knowing what it portends or what it holds for us in the end.
In this regard, I close by quoting à Kempis Thomas:
"... thou shalt make great progress if thou keep thyself free from all temporal care. Thou shalt lamentably fall away if thou set a value upon any worldly thing. Let nothing be great, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable unto thee, save God Himself or the things of God. Reckon as altogether vain whatsoever consolation comes to thee from a creature. The soul that loveth God looketh not to anything that is beneath God. God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart.” (Excerpt From: à Kempis Thomas. “The Imitation of Christ.”)
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I chose to live a life that's focused rather on the unseen realities of life, a life that's heavenly minded, a life that's pleasing unto You, in Jesus name.