2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2716
Producing: to work out, to accomplish
From the Greek word ' katergazomai' (pronounced kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee): to an exact definite conclusion; bring to decisive finality.
LIGHT AND MOMENTARY AFFLICTIONS
In other words, whatever affliction or trial or tribulation the Christian goes through is not as valuable as what we gain after we have gone through said affliction.
Paul went through many, many afflictions to deliver the gospel wherever the Lord brought him. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13; 2 Corinthians 11:19-29. Yet, Paul considers that everything that he has experienced in order that the gospel Truth may go forth was 'light and momentary'. That all his trials were necessary. And he's right.
For the seed which is planted into the ground cannot produce fruit unless it first goes through its own tribulations: being buried beneath the ground, bursting through its outer shell, pushing through the dirt to reach the sun. It is then transforming from a seed to a seedling (young plant); from a seedling to a shoot; from a shoot to a stalk which flowers briefly before small fruits begin to appear. It is the same in our spiritual growth.
The seed of the Word of God gets planted into the hearts of men by the actuation of their faith in Christ. This living faith in Christ is transformed through daily meditation on God's Word. We are transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit: the only thing we can do is believe. As the seed cannot be transformed by outward actions, neither can the believer be transformed by his or her own actions. God saves us; we cannot save ourselves.
PRODUCING FOR US
The believer in Christ is promised many rewards. Some rewards we receive in this life, some after this life has ended and our heavenly life in Christ begins. These rewards are earned by the believer who endures, perseveres, overcomes. By this we are made aware that being a believer is not going to be an easy road to travel. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:22 that we will be hated by everyone because we bear His name. But with that promise of what we receive in this world: hate, we also are given a promise of what we receive when we believe: salvation.
Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 10:22, 24:9, 13; Mark 13:13; Luke 6:22, 21:17; Isaiah 66:5; John 15:20-21.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us who we are fighting against when we struggle to live the holy life we have been called to live in Christ. But verses 13-20 tell us how to arm ourselves that we might be better prepared to not only fight against them (endure, persevere) but win (overcome) and defeat them. Our greatest weapon is Love: the Love of God.
We do not hate people: we hate sin in people. We hate the very garments of unrighteousness in which they are clothed, but we pray daily for their salvation (Jude 1:23).
Sometimes we appear to hate ourselves, but it is not ourself we hate (being made in the image of God, how can we?), it is the sin we have committed whether consciously or unconsciously. But the Christian who stumbles and falls in the fight against spiritual darkness gets back up again and lives to fight another day.
For this race we run is run in the valley of the shadow of darkness: things do always appear as they are, for they are in the shadows: watching, waiting for us to fall and despair. But we will not. For we are overcomers who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of His Testimony.
Daniel 11:35 says we are "being refined, purified and made spotless". John 15:2 says we are being pruned that we may produce more fruit. We may be humiliated at times, but we are to remain humble and place ourselves under the blood of forgiveness and redemption in Christ when we repent of our sins.
AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY
> Rewards: Revelations 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 11-12, 21.
>Crowns: James 1:12, Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Psalm 103:4; Psalm 8:4, 5; Leviticus 21:12; Proverbs 14:18; 2 Timothy 4:8; Esther 2:17; Isaiah 28:5, 1 Peter 5:4; Philippians 4:1, Proverbs 11:30, Daniel 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19.
Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship
Just As I Am (I Come Broken) - Travis Cottrell
Mercy Came Running - Phillips, Craig and Dean
Where You Go I Go - Jesus Culture
Nothing Compares - Third Day
