“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.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)
Tonight a message came through on Facebook about a dear woman I first prayed for more than ten years ago, when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her husband shared that she has now entered hospice care. The news stirred something deep within me and drew me back to the very foundation of what we believe.
In seminary, I learned a phrase that has stayed with me ever since: already, but not yet. Jesus has already conquered death, yet we do not yet see Him reigning in full victory over it. That is why our bodies still grow weary, and why they still die. Jesus has already defeated the power of evil, of Satan, and of the patterns of this world, yet we do not yet live fully in that victory. As the writer of Hebrews puts it, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him… Jesus, crowned with glory and honor” (Hebrews 2:8–9, ESV).
Deep down, each of us senses that there is more to life than what our eyes can see. We already know it, even though we do not yet see it. Yet because we cannot see it, we often struggle to believe it. And when we do not believe it, we miss so much of what is at work both for us and against us. Whether or not we acknowledge the spiritual realm, it is real, and it is active. As Paul reminds us, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but … against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).
So let us step back and consider what we already believe. As Christians, we came to Jesus Christ by faith. We have never seen Him, yet we believe He died on the cross for our sins. We believe God raised Him from the dead. And we believe He alone is the source of our eternal salvation. None of these truths can be seen with physical eyes today. What Jesus accomplished while He walked this earth reached far beyond anything human eyes could see. Peter describes this kind of faith beautifully: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8, ESV).
In the same way, we are called to live by faith here in this physical life, trusting that one day we will be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. Faith settles in our hearts the truth that heaven is a very real place. Scripture is filled with references to the heavenly realms—places invisible to us now, yet no less real. We see them with the eyes of our heart rather than the eyes in our head. Paul prayed that we would have “the eyes of [our] hearts enlightened,” so that we may know “the hope to which he has called [us]” (Ephesians 1:18, ESV).
That is the hope I am holding on to tonight.
To my dear sister who may soon be going home to be with the Lord: He has already conquered death. We worship the God of the living, not of the dead, “for all live to him” (Luke 20:38, ESV). I am praying for you and your family. Keep your eyes fixed on Him. He is the lifter of your head (Psalm 3:3) and the Lord of your life.
A Moment to Reflect
Where in your life are you living in the “not yet”? Take a quiet moment to thank God for what He has already done, and ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to the hope that is still to come.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that in Jesus, death has already been defeated. When we cannot see what You are doing, give us eyes of faith to trust what is unseen. Comfort those who are walking through the valley tonight, especially my dear sister and her family. Surround them with Your peace, and lift their heads. Help us to live in the victory You have already won as we wait in hope for the day we will see it face to face.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
