Go! And Fix Your Eyes on What Will Last Forever
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT): “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
Introduction: Seeing the Unseen
Imagine standing in front of a magnificent sandcastle on the shore. It looks so perfect, so carefully crafted. Yet, as the tide comes in, the waves crash and slowly wash it away. That is the nature of this world—beautiful at times, but temporary. So many of us build our lives upon things that will one day crumble: wealth, status, possessions, even health. But Paul reminds us to fix our gaze not on the sandcastles of this world but on what will last forever.
This morning, as part of our “Go! And…” series, we focus on this truth: Go! And Fix Your Eyes on What Will Last Forever.
Paul writes to the church in Corinth, a city marked by wealth, commerce, and immorality. The believers faced persecution and hardship, yet Paul urges them to look beyond their present suffering.
The word translated as “fix our gaze” (s??p?? – skopeo) means to focus intently, to give continuous attention, as a marksman fixes on a target. This is not a casual glance—it is a deliberate, disciplined choice.
Paul was suffering for the Gospel. Earlier in this chapter, he speaks of being “pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed” (v.8). His point? Earthly affliction is real, but it is temporary compared to the eternal glory ahead.
Paul contrasts two realities—the seen (temporary) and the unseen (eternal). This is an eschatological perspective: our hope is anchored not in the present age but in the coming Kingdom.
Point 1: The Temporary Nature of Earthly Troubles
We live in a world obsessed with the here and now—instant gratification, immediate success, fleeting pleasures. Yet Scripture reminds us, “For the things we see now will soon be gone…” (2 Corinthians 4:18b).
James 4:14 (NLT): “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”
The word for “fog” (?tµ?? – atmis) means vapour or steam—something visible for a moment but vanishing swiftly.
Think of the mayfly. Its entire adult life lasts less than 24 hours. It hatches, flies, mates, and dies in a single day. How tragic it would be to live only for the few hours you have, forgetting the eternity beyond.
John Piper once said, “Life is a mist. Eternity is the ocean.”
When I hear that, I’m reminded how often we hold tightly to the mist and let the ocean slip by. Are we living for the fog, or for forever?
What are you holding onto that will not last? Your career? Your bank account? Your health? None of these are wrong, but none of them are permanent. The believer is called to live with open hands, ready to release the temporary for the sake of the eternal.
Point 2: The Eternal Reality of God’s Kingdom
Paul says, “…but the things we cannot see will last forever.” What are these unseen things? The promises of God. The presence of Christ. The inheritance of heaven.
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT): “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
1 Peter 1:4 (NLT): “And we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”
Imagine you are given the deed to a house that will never crumble, never need repairs, never lose its beauty. Would you trade that for a cardboard box on a rainy street? Of course not! Yet spiritually, many people choose the cardboard box of sin over the mansion of salvation.
Charles Stanley said, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Fixing your eyes on eternity means trusting God’s promises even when the present seems uncertain.
How do we focus on the unseen? Through the Word of God, prayer, worship, fellowship, and obedience. Every act of faith is a declaration: “This world is not my home; I am living for what will last.”
Point 3: The Gospel Gives Us Eternal Perspective
The greatest unseen reality is the finished work of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that affliction was “light and momentary” (v.17) because he measured it against the weight of glory Christ purchased on the cross.
John 14:2–3 (NLT): “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home… I am going to prepare a place for you… so that you will always be with me where I am.”
Romans 8:18 (NLT): “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
Gospel Presentation:
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, entered our temporary world. He lived a sinless life, died a sinner’s death upon the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Why? To offer you eternal life. Sin is the great divider—it separates us from God and condemns us to eternal death. But through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the penalty of sin is paid, the power of sin is broken, and the promise of eternal life is freely given.
Tim Keller said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
Will you fix your eyes on the Saviour who sees you, knows you, and loves you? Will you repent of the sin that blinds you and turn to the One who opens your eyes to eternity?
Call to Action: Live with Eternity in View
Believers: Stop living as if this world is all there is. Your trials are real, but they are not final. Live for the glory of Christ, not the applause of men. Be generous. Forgive freely. Share the Gospel urgently.
Seekers and Unbelievers: Today, the unseen God calls you to salvation. Will you trust Him? Will you turn from sin and surrender to Jesus as Lord and Saviour?
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, eternity is not a distant theory; it is a coming reality. Heaven and hell are real. Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. If you have never surrendered your life to Him, do so today. Repent of your sin. Believe in His death and resurrection. Confess Him as Lord.
Benediction:
As you go this week, may your eyes be lifted above the fleeting troubles of this world. May you live not for what is fading, but for what is forever. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit fix your gaze upon eternity, until faith becomes sight.
