798. 2CO 4:18. TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL THINGS
2Co_4:18. Temporal and Eternal Things
"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."’972Co_4:18.
Our subject embraces all that is comprehensive and important to man. It relates both, to this world, and to that which is to come. It refers us both to temporal and to eternal things; and it shows us the chief objects which engage the Christian’s attention. He looks not on the things which are seen, &c. Consider,
I. The things which are temporal, and how we should treat them.
And,
II. The things which are eternal, and what influence they should have upon us.
I. The things which are temporal, and how we should treat them.
Now temporal things are those which are visible or palpable,’97"things which are seen." Things which come under the observation of our senses. Now of temporal things there are two distinct classes.
1. Lawful temporal things, and these are to be used.
The bounties of God’s providence’97the blessings of this life, food and raiment, and other natural enjoyments. Now these things are to be obtained by industry and labor; they are to be used and sanctified to us by prayer and thanksgiving. In these temporal bodies we shall daily stand in used of these things. Two evils ought to be avoided: extravagance and waste, avarice and parsimony.
2. There are sinful temporal things, and these should be avoided or renounced
The pleasures and fashions of the world’97the pomps and vanities of sinful life’97those things which tend to pride, or vanity. I need not stay to explain what they are. Worldliness is not so like religion, that it is difficult to draw the line. Now how should we treat temporal things? According to their true nature. Not forget their vanity and emptiness; not forget their unsuitability to the soul; not forget how transient they are. Look at that title: how many have had it, but where are they? That crown: how many have worn it, and where are they? That estate: how many have enjoyed it, but where are they? Alas! alas! not only do the fashions of this world pass away, but things which are temporal and lawful must only be used as the traveller does his conveyance, or the mariner his vessel. The Christian should feel as the poet describes the pilgrim:
"Nothing on earth I call my own;
A stranger to the world unknown,
I all their goods despise:
I trample on their whole delight,
And seek a country out of sight,
A country in the skies."
II. The things which are eternal, and what influence they should have upon us.
Eternal!’97what a word! Properly speaking, only one being so’97God. The high and lofty One, &c. Ever existing, without origin or end. But the word is used for things which will be everlasting. Now of these,
1. There is heaven.
A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. No flood, or fire, or earthquake, ever affected it. A changeless and endless world. A world of eternal light, and health, and life. The riches, the titles, the pleasures, are all eternal. Pleasures infinite and everlasting. Now this world is not seen’97literally out of sight. Revelation and faith alone enable us to discover it.
2. The soul is eternal.
A spark never to be extinguished; a ray of light never to be blotted out; an intellectual, thinking existence, that will never die. The longest life, therefore, is but as a moment of its duration. When we think of one continued series of links, forming an eternal chain of being, the mind is overwhelmed; yet this is a sober reality. The soul, immortal as its sire, will never die. We mention only one thing more, and that
3. Internal salvation.
And this is what Christ has effected on behalf of every believer. This is the heaven enjoyed by the soul forever and ever. Everlasting purity and joy’97everlasting dignity and bliss. All that the soul shall enjoy will be eternal. Worship and adore the eternal God; bow down before the eternal throne; engage in eternal acts of devotion and praise; partake of the eternal streams of life; and be eternally secure from sin, sickness, and death. All this is hidden from the eye of sense, and the eye of learning, and the eye of philosophy; it is only discernible by the eye of faith in God’s holy and blessed word. Now what influence should these have upon us?
1. Should they not have our deepest solicitudes?
These eternal realities are worth all our souls’ thoughts and desires and anxieties. We may be careful indeed about these’97we may covet these’97aspire after these.
2. Should they not be the objects of our first concern and labor?
First in importance’97first in the week’97first in the day. If toil is demanded, or self-denial, or mortification, or trouble, or affliction, is not the end sufficient to animate, &c.? "I press," said the apostle, "towards the mark," &c. Should we not,
3. Be joyful in the blessed hope of these things?
"Yea, and before we rise
To that immortal state,
Thoughts of such amazing bliss
Should constant joys create."
The way-worn traveller sees his home at a distance, and is cheered. The mariner looks to the distant haven, and in the buffetings of the storm he is cheered. The racer perceives the goal, and stretches every nerve, and is cheered; and the Christian looks at eternal things, and is filled with rapture and delight. He says, in his poverty and sorrows,
"I would not change my blest estate
For all the world calls good and great;
And while my faith can keep her hold,
I envy not the sinner’s gold."
Application
We address,
1. Those who are absorbed with temporal things.
How poor, meager, &c. Are you satisfied? But if you are, we call you to behold,
2. Eternal things.
Think of the eternal things you. forfeit. Loss of heaven’97loss of eternal life. But there are eternal things of another description. A hell which is eternal. Lake of fire’97chains’97darkness’97weeping and wailing. Now weigh the two’97look at the contrast, and stop, consider, repent. Escape for your life. Trample temporal things under foot.
3. Christians, this is your duty and privilege.
Look at eternal things, and live loose to time and earth; be ready for heaven and eternity.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS