Day 20 - Unique Kingdom Perspectives | Our King and the Kingdom of God 21-Day Devotional
This single passage embodies many principles that are part of the Kingdom of God. The apostle Paul had unique insight and revelation into the purposes of God. These are Kingdom principles that can work for us every day.
1. We don't lose heart or become ultimately discouraged because we know that despite our conditions we are growing stronger day by day. This happens because we are being renewed inwardly day by day.
2. What the Apostle Paul called "light affliction" was actually quite severe by our standards. (2 Cor. 11:22-28) The point Paul made, and something that we often read in his writings, was his God-given ability to change perspective about a bad situation. We might say that Paul looked for a "silver lining" in every situation. He did not do this to make himself feel better, he did it to reveal the greater power of the kingdom of God at work. He wrote that affliction was "for a moment," but that the "weight of glory," representing the good that God brings, is eternal in its effect. When the Bible talks about eternity, it is not only about the future. Eternity has already begun for those of us who are part of the kingdom of God.
3. Paul made a statement that on its surface doesn't make sense: He wrote, "We do not look at things which are seen." Furthermore he said, "We look at things which are not seen." It doesn't seem possible to not look at what you see, or to see the unseen. The only way to understand what he wrote is from a Kingdom perspective. Jesus said "the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21) We do not "see" the powers and capabilities of the Kingdom of God, because they are invisible. We don't see the wind, but we see the effects of the wind.
The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian Church, and all Christ Followers, that what we see with our natural eyes is temporary, or it is "subject to change." The problems we detect with our senses do not affect or weaken the Kingdom of God. The things we don't see, such as the Holy Spirit, God's angels, glory, grace, and so much more, are all working on our behalf within the Kingdom of God.
This is another reason why Jesus said "Seek first the kingdom of God." Matthew 6:33
Reflection Questions:
1. According to this lesson, how you deal with discouragement?
2. What things do you see that you need to stop looking at?
3. What things are unseen that you need to begin to see?
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