Paul's Letters 2 Corinthians

Walk By Faith

Discover Jesus as: Treasure 2 Corinthians 5 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 523 of 730
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INTRO

Today, we’re going to build on the message shared yesterday about the treasure in clay pots. In 2 Corinthians 4:1, Paul said he was called to this ministry and was determined not to give up. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul described the treasure he had been given (we are the clay jar, Jesus is the Treasure). In 2 Corinthians 4:13, Paul said we have the same spirit of faith that leads us to speak. As we transition to 2 Corinthians 5, verse 1 tells us we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling not made by hands.

TEACHING

2 Corinthians 5:1-5: Acts 18:1–3 tells us that while Paul ministered in Corinth, he supported himself as a tentmaker. Tents have one thing in common—you hope and pray they stay up, because one huge gust of wind can take them down. Tents are not durable; they are not a permanent structure. When saying “if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed,” Paul was talking about our bodies, which will be destroyed when we physically die. Praise God we have something else—“an eternal dwelling in heaven, not made with hands.” Paul wasn’t talking about a mansion in heaven—he was talking about a new, glorified body. We have this new, beautiful, eternal body that will never actually show weakness. That’s the complete opposite of a weak, temporary body that has aches, pains, tingles, bad hips, or bad feet. The glorified body trumps 100 percent the temporary tent.

This new building comes because of the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15). Because of Christ’s resurrection, we can say with confidence we will have a glorified body. Death can no longer sting us or have victory over us. Because we have this Treasure inside us, “we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling from heaven” (v. 2). Warren Wiersbe put it another way: we’re really just eager for Jesus to come back.1 God prepared us for this purpose (the glorified body) and gave us the Spirit as a down payment (v. 5). Paul urged us to endure this process because we have something better to look forward to. To help us get through this process, God gave us the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, the Greek word for “earnest” means “engagement ring. The church is engaged to Jesus Christ and is waiting for the Bridegroom to come to take her to the wedding.”2 We’re waiting for His return.

2 Corinthians 5:6–7: We never have to worry about losing our salvation. We know that even while we’re away from the Lord, we can be confident because of who Christ is inside us. We can truly “walk by faith, not by sight” (v. 7). This whole chapter is the key to understanding how to walk by faith. So how do we learn to do this? WikiHow offered some suggestions, which are listed in bold print:

  1. Focus on things that have eternal significance. Get beyond focusing only on the things you can see.
  2. Obey the Bible and God’s commands.
  3. Prepare to look foolish. It’s okay to be an idiot for the Lord. The church is afraid to look foolish in the eyes of the world. People may be afraid to look foolish in front of a spouse or kids.
  4. Expect to face trials along the way. Walking by faith is not easy, but God will always be with you.
  5. Stop waiting for an epiphany. When we pray, “God give me a sign, and then I’ll go,” that is still walking by sight.
  6. Glorify God in all that you do. Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 10:31.3

You don’t have to have the [spiritual] gift of faith to walk by faith. John Piper offered this list:

Admit you can do nothing without God (John 15:5).

Pray for help (Psalm 50:15).

Trust a specific promise (2 Chronicles 20:20).

Act (Philippians 2:12–13).

Thank God for His provision and goodness (Psalm 106:1).4

In Romans 10:17, Paul wrote: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” So when we hear these things, based on the Word of God, then we will walk out this faith. So what is the benefit of all this? In Ephesians 3:20, we read God will do “above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.” In John 14:12, Jesus said, “The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these.” You want to know how to walk by faith? Have the faith that you can do even greater works than Jesus. So admit you can’t do this without Him; pray, asking Him to help you; trust in this specific promise; and then begin acting this out; then you can thank God for showing up.

CLOSING

While this chapter also talks about being ambassadors for Christ, I just felt God telling me to encourage you to walk by faith today.

  1. Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), p. 515.

  2. Wiersbe, p. 515.

  3. “How to Walk by Faith: Part 2, Delve Deeper”; available from https://www.wikihow.com/Walk-by-Faith.

  4. John Piper, “Practical Steps to Walk by Faith”; available from https://www.wikihow.com/Walk-by-Faith.

Questions

  1. How do you feel after reading 2 Corinthians 5:1? Spend a few minutes thinking about your “house” in heaven and your eternal body. Praise God for these gifts He has given you.
  2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” What does this mean to you? Give some examples of this in your own life.
  3. Does 2 Corinthians 5:10 put a fear in your heart when you read it? What do you think you will receive on that day, either good or bad?
  4. How would you practically explain 2 Corinthians 5:17 to an unbeliever? Do you believe this verse and walk in it? If so, how?
  5. Do you fully believe 2 Corinthians 5:21? Do you share that with others? How can you practically share, “He, who has no sin, became sin for us”?
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 2 Corinthians 5 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 2 Corinthians 5:7

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Paul challenged the Corinthians believers to walk by faith, not by sight. Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. As a believer, you can have 100-percent complete confidence and trust in God. This requires you to let go of control and accept you are not all-knowing. Imagine yourself with a blindfold on, taking steps forward, and trusting the ground will be there as you take each step. How- ever, perhaps there are holes in the ground. Faith is believing you will have the help you need even in the midst of the holes. You will have help to keep on walking.

It is time for you, child of God, to walk by faith and not by sight. God promises He will be there. He will never leave you. Jesus says rest in Him because you can do nothing apart from Him. God promises by faith you will do even greater things than Jesus, above and beyond what you can even imagine. So today, what is one action of faith you can take a step forward in? It may feel scary and unsettling, but most likely, that is the step of faith you need to take today. Trust that the Lord will help you navigate the unknowns ahead. Let go and let God.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:7

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • John 14:12— “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”
  • John 15:5— “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”
  • Hebrews 11:1— “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”