Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Saturday, January 24, 2 Corinthians 4:18

"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."

The eternal perspective. Having a thorough understanding of this makes sense of our existence. We are not just mortal creatures, yet we are so buried in our sin nature that it seems that way, until you are born of the Spirit. And when you are born of the Spirit, you see the unseen.

When we are given the new birth, our eyes are opened. We are not only saved, we are regenerated. We have been declared righteous, justified, but also regenerated, with the Holy Seed planted within us.

Providentially, this was explained very well by Dr. Snoeberger from Detroit Baptist Seminary at our Wednesday class. In a class like that, I get pieces of it while some of it kind of goes over my head. But thanks to God giving us the internet, I can hear the recorded message over and over again on our website. And each time I'll know a little more.

This verse is a preliminary to all of Chapter 5. When we look at Chapter 5 in the "unseen" perspective, we truly understand that deep longing we have as believers. We also see our purpose for remaining on this earth after the new birth. God is "growing us" while we are here. He is pruning us through trial and hardship, which helps us see the light better.

The world has trial and hardship with no hope, for they, like we, are stuck in a sin-soaked world, where the mortal, from the time one is born, is dying a little each day. Sin has a way of doing that. It was not meant to be part of us, but that is the road we chose.

We can blame Adam. We do because we refuse to blame ourselves, just like Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. But if we were in their place, we would have done the same.

Do you know that it took me many years to really get this? I was a Christian for a couple decades before I really understood it. And it took a period of great hardship that was mostly self-inflicted, but I blamed another for it. Yet, when I honestly turned to the word of God for answers, it came to me from Psalm 51:4: "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement."

Now I read the verses after: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." (5-6)

Wisdom, James says, comes from above (1:17). It is grown through setting our affections on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3). From living in the realm of the "unseen".

There is nothing mystical about it. It is as natural as it can be, if you are regenerated. It is a new creation, learning how to live in the new nature. A breaking forth from the old and discovering the new. Walking in the Spirit is as natural as walking, period. It is simply walking in belief that Christ is going to direct your steps as you abide in Him. And sometimes that requires pruning away the old branches so the new can spring forth vibrantly.

And then the Light shines forth! When we set our minds upon our Savior, O what joy we have within, no matter what the circumstance. For the will of God is not in circumstance but simply believing on Him whom He has sent (John 6:29).

And that "new creation" has eyes wide open. We see the deep, deep love of Jesus, and we are filled with the assurance of the Holy Spirit. And the more we walk in His steps, the more we "see the Light". And the more we see the Light, we see abject poverty of the lost as well, so as ambassadors of Christ implore them to "be reconciled to God."

For we know. We know! And if you do not, listen! Cry out of your darkness and enter His marvelous Light! And Live.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps

"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."

Initially, this seems like a long verse to remember, but when you see the similarities, it becomes very easy. So first learn "The things that are seen, the things that are unseen", and repeat.

Then add the few extras.

You can make it into a chant if you like. Maybe like someone in basic training. The sergeant calls out the extras, and you yell out "The things that are seen!" or "unseen". For me, this works very well for my method of linking the verse/chapter numbers, but I do that on my website because it takes a while to explain it.

So, if you've read these long enough, you know my "memory character" for verses 18 is "Army DaVe". Dave, because D=1 and V=8 in the phonetic alphabet, with vowels fillers. So Dave can only mean 18. And, since for me, the army draft age was 18, I put my buddy Dave in an army outfit to reinforce the number link.

So, here comes "Army Dave" bursting out the stage Door (for chapter 4) between the 2 Corinthian pillars used as props on the stage, yelling out: "AS WE LOOK NOT TO?" and we, the audience yells out "THE THINGS THAT ARE SEEN!"

Then he yells out "BUT TO?" and we say, "THE THINGS THAT ARE NOT SEEN!"

Then he says "FOR?" and we say, "THE THINGS THAT ARE SEEN!"

And he says "ARE TRANSIENT BUT?" and we say, "THE THINGS THAT ARE UNSEEN!"

And he says "ARE ETERNAL!" and we repeat "ARE ETERNAL!"

Do that a few times, and I think you'll get it.