2 Corinthians 5:7

2 Corinthians 5:7

Thoughts from Brian Cook

Dive Deeper

Godfidence- Swipe
Slide

“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7

Godfidence- Behind the Scenes
Slide

In 2 Corinthians 4, just prior to today’s passage, Paul describes the afflictions faced by those spreading the gospel. He then shares why he has such hope for the future, even amidst his current suffering: “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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 4:16-18).

Slide

This thought continues into today’s verse as Paul teaches the Corinthian church about the temporary nature of our current lives. He calls our earthly bodies tents and longs for the day when we are fully clothed in new, eternal life. As we realize how short our mortal lives are and how glorious eternity will be for those who are in Christ, it should affect the way we live right now.

Godfidence- Make it Real
Slide

How exactly do we live in light of eternity? How can we spend our time on Earth engaged in activities that are eternally significant? If we continue reading 2 Corinthians 5, we find the answer.

Slide

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others…All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:11,18-20).

Slide

ACF calls this amplifying the grace of God, and it’s what Paul was passionate about. He knew his time on Earth was limited, and he was determined to spend it telling as many people as possible about the abundant and unending life Christ offers.

Slide

Are you as certain of eternity as Paul was? Does this knowledge fill you with the same courage and hope he had? So often, we order our lives in terms of five-year plans or retirement plans or end-of-life plans. It’s easy to lose sight of the eternal nature of our existence, and we limit our hopes and ambitions accordingly.

Slide

Dallas Willard challenges this way of thinking in his book The Divine Conspiracy, saying, “So as we think of our life and make plans for it, we should not be anticipating going through some terrible event called ‘death,’ to be avoided at all costs even though it can’t be avoided…We should be anticipating what we will be doing three hundred or a thousand or ten thousand years from now in this marvelous universe.”

Slide

It isn’t natural to think this way. 2 Corinthians 5:5 tells us God gave us His very Spirit as a guarantee of the future that awaits us. It is only through the empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit that we are able to walk by faith, not by sight, living for what is unseen and eternal.

Slide

How would your day-to-day life look different if you believed your afflictions were momentary and were confident God’s ten-thousand-year plan for you would far outshine your own ten-year plan? Ask God to give you His heavenly perspective as you approach this week by faith, not by sight.

Godfidence- End in Prayer
Slide

Father, help me to see time the way You do. Lift my gaze beyond what is seen to what is unseen and eternal. I don’t want to take the days You have given me here for granted. Please show me what is good and what is lasting. Show me where You are at work around me and how I can be part of the story You are telling. Help me to be an ambassador who amplifies Your grace every day. Through Your power and for Your glory, God, amen.

previous arrow
next arrow

“for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 

2 Corinthians 5:7

Behind the Scenes

In 2 Corinthians 4, just prior to today’s passage, Paul describes the afflictions faced by those spreading the gospel. He then shares why he has such hope for the future, even amidst his current suffering: “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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 4:16-18). 

This thought continues into today’s verse as Paul teaches the Corinthian church about the temporary nature of our current lives. He calls our earthly bodies tents and longs for the day when we are fully clothed in new, eternal life. As we realize how short our mortal lives are and how glorious eternity will be for those who are in Christ, it should affect the way we live right now.  

Make it Real

How exactly do we live in light of eternity? How can we spend our time on Earth engaged in activities that are eternally significant? If we continue reading 2 Corinthians 5, we find the answer. 

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others…All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:11,18-20).  

ACF calls this amplifying the grace of God, and it’s what Paul was passionate about. He knew his time on Earth was limited, and he was determined to spend it telling as many people as possible about the abundant and unending life Christ offers. 

Are you as certain of eternity as Paul was? Does this knowledge fill you with the same courage and hope he had? So often, we order our lives in terms of five-year plans or retirement plans or end-of-life plans. It’s easy to lose sight of the eternal nature of our existence, and we limit our hopes and ambitions accordingly.  

Dallas Willard challenges this way of thinking in his book The Divine Conspiracy, saying, “So as we think of our life and make plans for it, we should not be anticipating going through some terrible event called ‘death,’ to be avoided at all costs even though it can’t be avoided…We should be anticipating what we will be doing three hundred or a thousand or ten thousand years from now in this marvelous universe.” 

It isn’t natural to think this way. 2 Corinthians 5:5 tells us God gave us His very Spirit as a guarantee of the future that awaits us. It is only through the empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit that we are able to walk by faith, not by sight, living for what is unseen and eternal. 

How would your day-to-day life look different if you believed your afflictions were momentary and were confident God’s ten-thousand-year plan for you would far outshine your own ten-year plan? Ask God to give you His heavenly perspective as you approach this week by faith, not by sight.  

Hailey Schroeder

Hailey Schroeder

ACF Devo Team

End in Prayer

Father, help me to see time the way You do. Lift my gaze beyond what is seen to what is unseen and eternal. I don’t want to take the days You have given me here for granted. Please show me what is good and what is lasting. Show me where You are at work around me and how I can be part of the story You are telling. Help me to be an ambassador who amplifies Your grace every day. Through Your power and for Your glory, God, amen. 

Tagged