Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:6-8: Living by Faith
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the profound words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8:
“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
In these verses, Paul speaks to the essence of our Christian journey—a journey marked by a profound confidence that stems from our faith in God. The context of this passage brings to light the tension between our earthly existence and our heavenly hope. Paul reminds us that while we dwell in our earthly bodies, we live in a state of longing for our eternal home with the Lord.
Confidence Amidst the Journey
Paul describes a certain confidence that we as believers possess. It is a confidence that does not rest upon the physical realm—upon what we can see, touch, or feel. Instead, it is a confidence grounded in faith—a faith that believes in the promises of God, even when circumstances around us might suggest otherwise.
In verse 7, he boldly declares, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This statement encapsulates the very essence of our Christian walk. In a world where we often seek tangible proof and immediate gratification, we are called to trust in the unseen. Our faith gives us the assurance that God is at work in our lives, orchestrating events according to His divine purpose.
The Righteous Living by Faith
This concept of walking by faith is echoed throughout Scripture. As Paul states in Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith.” This is not merely a theological assertion but a call to action. Our faith must manifest in our daily lives, shaping our decisions, our interactions with others, and our response to life’s challenges.
Living righteously by faith involves trusting in God’s character and promises, even when our understanding fails us. It means choosing integrity over deceit, love over hatred, and patience over frustration. In a society that often values the immediate and the visible, the righteous among us, empowered by faith, stand as beacons of hope and integrity.
Hope Beyond This Life
As we reflect on Paul’s teaching, let us remember that our ultimate hope is not anchored in the temporal. When we fill our hearts with faith, we anticipate a future that is infinitely greater than our present circumstances. Verse 8 reminds us of this truth: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
In moments of doubt or fear, we can find comfort in the knowledge that our earthly struggles are temporary. As we live righteously by faith, we cultivate a mindset focused not merely on what we see in the physical world but on the glorious promises that await us in eternity.
Conclusion
Let us, therefore, walk boldly in our faith, living out the righteousness that God calls us to. May our lives be a testament to the truth that we serve a God who is faithful, who is with us in our trials, and who has prepared a place for us far beyond what we can imagine.
In every aspect of our lives, may we stand firm in the faith, confident in the hope that sustains us, and dedicated to living righteously for the glory of God. Amen.
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