FROM THE KEYBOARD

Light affliction equals an eternal weight of glory in God's economy. Or in the words of Matthew Henry, "Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions." "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory..." (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Jesus loves us where we are, but He doesn’t leave us the way we are. His love is always in truth and His truth is always in love. He takes us from death to life, from darkness to light. "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

When we look at our changing circumstances, such a shaky view is going to shake our faith. But when we look to an unchanging God, such a steady view births a stable faith. So, what are you looking at? "Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always" (1 Chronicles 16:11).

God hears us based on His mercy, not our merit. And He saves us based on the same. In other words, it's not about our goodness but His faithfulness. To hear, to save, to redeem, to love. "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer" (Psalm 4:1).

The Gospel does not esteem self, the Gospel redeems self. The Gospel doesn’t boost our self image, the Gospel births God’s image in us. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

In order to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good, we need to be able to discern the difference between the two. And the only way to know the difference is to know God's definition of each condition. Know the Word, discern the world! "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9).