Aging and "The Eternal Weight of Glory"

 

I have been working at memorizing all eighteen verses of 2 Corinthians 4. The whole chapter is about Paul’s ministry, which is a gift of God (v.1). Because of this he responds by exhibiting integrity in what he does (v.1-2) knowing that the devil is involved in trying to block his work (v.3-4), but the message must go out with Jesus as the heart of the gospel (v.5) because God is at work in it all (v.6). 

Then he explains that his work, though difficult at times, still goes on by the living power of Christ’s death and resurrection (v.7-12). And he is confident that all he does will be for the good of the Corinthian church and the glory of God (v.12-15). 

As important as verses 1-15 are, it’s the final verses (v.16-18) I want to dwell on a bit. Paul is still talking about his ministry. But it appears that Paul’s health is beginning to show the marks of the abuse he has received: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (v.16). The results of being stoned, lashed, harassed, frozen, starved, and more (see chapter 11:21-29) is taking its toll on his body, making it slower, more frail, wasting away. But his confidence in what God is doing and will continue to do, lifts his spirits and keeps him afloat, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (v.17). And the reason why he can have such confidence is that he is not focused on his physical healthiness, stamina, virility, and vigor. Instead, he is driven by Christ and what he is doing and will do, “as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (v.18). 

Here's Paul, getting older and slower and more limited because his body is wearing down. Instead of becoming domineering, demanding, derisive and disagreeable, he is aging with grace, like a good wine: this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Aging with grace, like a good wine that goes down smooth and gladdens the hearts of men (Psalm 104:15). 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 gives me reason to pause. I’ll spare you the organ recital (reciting a list of all the bodily organs that are not working the way they’re supposed to, and such), but the point is, I’m beginning to feel Paul’s “though our outer self is wasting away” aspect. Which all causes me to look more closely at Paul’s confident focus, and ask four questions: (1) Am I seeing these light, momentary afflictions as preparatory for an eternal weight of glory that is incomparable? Or (2) am I more motivated to become domineering, demanding, derisive and disagreeable because my limitations are getting clearer and I don’t want to accept them? (3) Am I aging with grace, like a good wine that goes down smooth and gladdens the hearts of men? Or (4) am I becoming vinegary and sour in such a way that makes others pucker up and recoil in distaste? 

And there, brothers and sisters, we all should ponder. Which way are we aging – younger and older alike? I would encourage each of you to take the previous paragraph, and ask yourself those four questions, on your knees, alone with our Lord Jesus. If you find yourself being more of 1 and 3, give thanks to our Lord, “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:11). 

And if you find yourself being more of 2 and 4, ask our Lord’s forgiveness; ask the forgiveness of any whom you’ve been vinegary toward, and turn your focus upward, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:6-9). 

Let us pray: Ah, dear Lord, may we age with grace, like a good wine that goes down smooth and gladdens the hearts of men. Help us to lift our eyes and hearts to the eternal and come to see our afflictions as light, momentary afflictions that are preparatory for an eternal weight of glory that is incomparable. Amen. 

 

Pastor Mike