For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you can’t see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3) I believe this is a foundational teaching of Christianity that is often neglected by the Church. Most Churches will affirm the cross and the resurrection of Christ, how many Churches are teaching you must be Born Again? You must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit to see the Kingdom? When you ask most “Christians” are you Born Again, then look at you like you have three heads

It’s a foundational teaching because Jesus said “You can’t” be saved without the Holy Spirit. Looking at Paul’s teaching here, without the concept of regeneration, it wouldn’t make any sense. Paul says “Our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed daily” Most would say Paul is talking about the resurrection of the body, well no because are you being resurrected on a daily basis? No, but we as Christians should be renewed daily, how? By the sanctification of the Holy Spirit

Anytime we start talking about sanctification and holiness, everyone runs for the door. But if you’re truly a Christian, then you must be Born Again, and if you are truly Born Again, then the Holy Spirit lives inside of you. And if the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, you are going to be sanctified. Your going to be renewed daily, growing in Christ, moving farther away from your sins, gaining deeper knowledge in The Lord, yes this is a lifetime process

I love the next piece of wisdom Paul reveals here “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” We could write a whole sermon about this, having an eternal perspective. The world only has a temporal perspective, they are living for the flesh, they are living just for today. We as Born Again Christians are living for the eternal Kingdom of God. Everything we do is for the Kingdom, everything we do has eternal consequences and the fruit will last forever

The unregenerated person doesn’t understand the spiritual warfare that they are in. They don’t understand there is a war for their soul, that their sin has eternal damning consequences. Jesus Christ came to set us free, our inner man is being renewed and sanctified on a daily basis, Amen!