In the physical world, we rely on our sight to form conclusions and take action, but with spiritual things, it works differently.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4 that we look not to things seen, but to things unseen. For what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is eternal.

What does this mean? We see many things in this world that cause distress and suffering.

There are divisions within families, nations, and churches. Enmity and strife surround us. People are antagonistic, selfish, and cruel, causing heartache and depression because we live in a world of sin.

None of this is going away until death or Christ’s return.

But Paul says, don’t lose heart, because though our outer self wastes away, our inner self is renewed daily.

This is the unseen reality.

We cannot see what Paul describes except through eyes of faith.

By faith, we believe in Christ’s forgiveness, our renewed relationship with Him, and that our afflictions are light and momentary, preparing us for eternal glory beyond comparison. (2 Cor. 4.)

Put all earthly hardships on one side of the scale and God’s eternal glory on the other. There’s no comparison.

That glory is yours now, just unseen.

It’s easy for worldly things to cast shadows over God’s eternal kingdom because of what we see versus what’s unseen.

Even now, God gives us visible signs pointing to invisible realities.

We see an ordinary building where people gather to sing and pray.

We see water and word in baptism, bread and wine at communion.

But unseen is:
The Holy Spirit’s work keeping people in faith
Forgiveness proclaimed and given
God’s eternal family receiving grace and mercy
Faith strengthened through Christ’s body and blood

These unseen things are eternal, true, and ours in Christ, giving us certain hope and salvation.

Contributor Chad Hoover is the Campus Pastor at Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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