Did you ever put your VCR on pause, and everything froze on the screen, just as if time stood still? Now at times I’ve thought I’d like to do that with life. No chance of that, though – life never stands still!
In 2 Corinthians 4:18, God says that we should concentrate on spiritual things, rather than on physical things, because physical things are merely temporal. That is, they are confined to the realm of time. The verse says, “…while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for things that are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
The word “temporal” is the word for time, in the sense of an occasion or opportunity. Literally, the word means “lasting only for a time” — temporal in the sense of being temporary. Now that’s God’s analysis of this world. It’s only temporary. It’s not going to last.
So, what is God really saying in this verse? Well, He’s really talking about priorities. In other words, don’t put your emphasis on the things of this world. They’re a flash in the pan – here today, gone tomorrow! There is no pause button on the VCR of life. Today’s new car becomes tomorrow’s used model. Today’s wardrobe is simply out of style in a few years. Babies become Senior Citizens, and then we all die and it’s over. Sounds pessimistic and negative, doesn’t it? Well, just think about it – that is the way it works.
Now that’s why God says you shouldn’t put your emphasis on those things. Put your emphasis on eternal things, He says. Why? Because the things which are seen are TEMPORAL.
Hey! “Here today – gone tomorrow.” Not much hope in that – unless your tomorrow is in the perspective of eternity in heaven with the Lord.