An Eye on Eternal Things 

September 3, 2023

It’s easy to get stuck on things of this world. We see what is happening in the news and get depressed. We often focus on our own suffering and feel we wonder if there is any hope at all. Stop and look up. This world is not our home. There is more, in fact, much more for a person who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are just passing through this world, awaiting paradise. For those who do not believe, this world is as good as it gets. Consider the words of the apostle Paul who was willing to suffer for the cause of Christ because he kept his eye on eternal things, rather than on the things of this world. 

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 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. 

Some have called the condition or handicap of focusing on things of this world as “spiritual nearsightedness.” It seems to be the norm of Christians today to be focused more on the world and the day-to-day happenings than on the hope of the future and eternal things. Sadly, when you break down the sermons and the songs sung in churches of the past compared to today, you’ll find much less mentioned of heaven and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ today. It was most common for most older hymns to have at least a verse of reminder of the glorious truth of hope and heaven. Ministers would every week encourage congregations of the glorious hope we have of the new heavens and new earth. But today, many churches rarely bring up the subject. So it is little wonder Christians seemed to be overwhelmed with spiritual nearsightedness. 

Paul, however, amid an extremely busy and difficult temporal life, somehow did manage to keep his sights on that eternal life to which he was called. The wonderful redemption that Christ purchased for us with His blood is nothing less than “eternal redemption,” which is also referenced as “eternal salvation,” even “eternal glory,” and even an “everlasting dwelling.”

Hebrews 9:11–12 (ESV) — 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 

Hebrews 5:9 (ESV) — 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 

1 Peter 5:10–11 (ESV) — 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Luke 16:9 (ESV) — 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 

Are not these eternal blessings much better than anything this world can offer? Most assuredly. That is why we need constant reminders to ourselves and our fellow believers than we are only passing through this world, awaiting the dawning of the new day that God has in store for His people. 

When you read through Hebrews 11, also known as “the hall if faith,” you’ll find people who kept an eye on the eternal rather than focus on the temporal. In fact, as the chapter closes there is a reference to those who died in the midst of great suffering but lived by faith as they embrace being but strangers and exiles on the earth. 

Hebrews 11:13 (ESV) — 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 

Sounds like the wisdom from Paul was exactly what carried the saints of old.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 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. 

Any affliction in this life is light and momentary compared to what lies ahead for the believer.

Romans 8:18 (ESV) — 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 

The key is to keep your eye on the eternal rather than focus on the temporal. How do we know if we are focused on the temporal? Do you ever complain? There will be no complaining in heaven. Everything will be perfect, including ourselves. We will no longer carry the “body of death” or the “old man,” that old nature that lingers with us in this life that we are constantly struggling to put to death. Therein lies the reason behind our complaining and being discontent. 

1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) — 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 

By directing our focus to eternal things, we will more than likely be stirred to gratitude as our hope is drawn to the surface. Gratitude is not only pleasing to God but prepares us for our eternal home in heaven, where we’ll be expressing gratitude upon gratitude for eternity. 

It’s a good practice to overwhelm yourself with the eternal to counter the depression of the temporal. Why fill yourself with the latest news and knowledge of what is going on in the world about which you have no control? Why not fill yourself, especially when you awake and before you go to bed, with words of hope and encouragement?

Instead of falling prey to spiritual nearsightedness, keep your eye on eternal things.

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker, Pastor