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Q5. A Focus on Eternal Things


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Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus?

Physical deterioration and problems are terrible to bear. However, the Bible tells us that they are meant to deveolp us inwardly in our hearts, soul and spirit- to become stronger. This is possible if we focuss on the eternal benefits- reward from our heavenly father for passing the test.

The pain of the problems we go through could be so much that we focus only on them and loose focus of the gain (reward) in eternity.

Focussing on eternal gains will however help us to endure the present proplems no matter the degree of pain they produce.

Prayer for our father and the Lord Jesus Christ to help us with the grace to go through can help us to endure and overcome the to problems.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus?

Problems and physical deterioration helps us toward "an eternal weight of glory" because they keep us focus on the prize that is before us rather than the present conditions. It is easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things because they are all around us in the present. It takes faith to override our thoughts and focus on those things eternal. As our faith increases, so do we grow spiritually. Spending time studying, meditating on the Word of God and spending time with Him help to keep our focus on things eternal.

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Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus?

Problems and physical deterioration helps us toward "an eternal weight of glory" because they keep us focus on the prize that is before us rather than the present conditions. It is easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things because they are all around us in the present. It takes faith to override our thoughts and focus on those things eternal. As our faith increases, so do we grow spiritually. Spending time studying, meditating on the Word of God and spending time with Him help to keep our focus on things eternal.

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  • 8 months later...

5a)In my physical deteriotion&disability, I know I look to my hope of eternal glory with God with a new resurrection body able to walk again & do other things not possible now. B)We can be weighed down by current pain&difficulties that affect us now,and I believe this is the deceiver distracting us by temporal issues now, from looking at unseen eternal hope in faith. Things. C)Focusing on eternal things in faith,our future life of eternity in heaven without discomfort,gives me amazing hope,peace&strength now as I fix run the race stet before me, focusing my eyes on Jesus the author &perfecter on my faith Hebrews12:2.As I endure now,,the Holy Spirit works in me,refining me and enabling me new things as I read &study the scriptures. D)Believe in Christ, living as he asks us to, and with hope of eternity in heaven to come, & staying in the Word now.

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  • 1 year later...

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus?          

 

For the Christian who is permitting the Holy Spirit to work in their life through the sanctification process, problems and physical deterioration are only a part of this world and should inspire the Christian to develop their eternal spiritual lives.  Our focus should be on the spiritual because it is eternal.  This material world is passing away and should be used as a tool for our spiritual growth.

 

Most people are consumed and totally focused on the things of this satanic world order and the temporal to the exclusion of the spiritual and eternal.  Natural man focuses on only what he can see.  Only the visible.  Again, Satan blinds human-beings as to what is important and this is first and foremost the acknowledgment of God and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Messiah - Lord and Savior and the consequences of that acknowledgment.  Eternity spend with or without God.  Heaven or hell.

 

A focus on spiritual growth should get us all excited about eternity.  Our spiritual development should be like packing suitcases for a long awaited vacation to our favorite place.

 

 

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  • 1 year later...

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus?

 

​At the age of 72 I feel the physical deterioration of my physical body. At  the same time I have seen, over the last ten years a renewal that seems to increase in crescendo as  my physical process of wearing out occurs. It is almost as there is a corresponding renewal in my spiritual well being in proportion to the deterioration. It is almost like a trade of-one for the other. Probably as one gets older one comes to realize of the frailness of the body. a feeling that we cannot do everything for our selves and as we rely more on others for our physical needs we also begin to rely upon the lord for “an eternal weight of glory”.

 

The pain is real and as we experience the pain our natural response is to do something- anything to be rid of the pain. But if we know the pain is temporary and the final relief is eternal we can bear the pain.

 

One with out the other is not possible!

 

We need to focus on the renewal process. It is not automatic. It is a day to day process. our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (4:17, NIV)

 

 

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  • 7 months later...

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus?

Problems and physical deterioration help us toward an eternal weight of glory. Our situations at times seem useless, with no end in sight for our illness or trail. Only when we know that our eternal life is so immense that our temporary situation can only help us to rely on God's grace and mercy to keep us going.

It is much easier to focus on present temporal things than on eternal things, because we are temporal beings. With the senses we have it is hard for us to realize our eternal life with God. We cannot see spiritual things, but without the faith the Lord has given us, we can at least get a glimpse of eternal life with him.

Focusing on eternal things is so important to our spiritual growth because it helps us to understand that Jesus has over come the world and it's evil intentions. To focus on Christ helps to put our faith, hope and trust in him so we can be with him in his eternal glory in Heaven.

To help shift our focus from the temporal to the spiritual, we must pray continually that the Lord will help in our circumstances to grow and proclaim his word to the lost. Suffering should help us endure the troubles we will no doubtfully encounter for living for Christ.   

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  • 8 years later...

I have been suffering so deeply that I look forward to death and life eternal. I'm relatively young, yet the pain of the past few years has had a deteriorating effect on my body. I'm ready to go home.

But, He's not taking me home. Not yet, anyway. The temporal world isn't disappearing. He must have something for me to do here, though I don't know what it is. I do not believe that God allows His children to suffer needlessly without His comfort and knowing it will end ... soon, please God.

Focusing on eternity is the only thing that keeps me going; the thought that there will be a time of painlessness and oneness with God, a time when circumstances aren't closing in, but opening up to a joyful eternity. Jesus, please come! Take me home! Let this end!

 

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