Walk by Faith, Not By Sight
Not I, But Christ In Me
2 CORINTHIANS 5:5-8
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 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.
”II Corinthians 5:1-8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.5.1-8.NKJ
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Paul’s faith gave him absolute confidence that even in death he has life. For he knew the Holy Spirit, who seal’s our eternal future, our helper, would never abandon or leave us orphans (JOHN 14:15-18).
He would lead and guide us on the road to victory.
That promise stands today, for the Holy Spirit is our guarantee of our eternal future. All we need to do is make a firm decision to walk in the leading of the Holy Spirit (see GALATIANS 5:16-26), not by the things we see, but by faith in Him.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:1, 3-6 NKJV
Furthermore my beloved, ““The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
It by faith, like Abel and Enoch, we believers have the victory not only in this temporary life, but also in our eternal future. But without faith, no one can please God.
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
II Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV
Paul told us, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”
Philippians 1:23-24 NKJV
It is by faith alone , “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:7-10 NKJV
It is by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that all foods are cleansed and fit to eat, and that all the religious acts are fulfilled, for Paul told us, “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”
Romans 14:14-18 NKJV
Today we can share Paul’s confident hope of eternal life, with the understanding, that while we are alive on this earth, walking in the Spirit, we can effectively serve God by doing that what pleases Him, helping and encouraging others in their walk with God, witnessing to unbelievers, “Healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and casting out demons (MATHEW 10:8).
Not to put ourselves on a pedestal, or for financial or any kind of gain, but simply out of love and service for God. It is God alone who deserves the praise and glory, for we humans can do nothing good or lasting in our own strength. It is not I, but Christ in me (GALATIANS 2:20).
Our bodies are a house, a tent to live in on this world, to operate in the physical realms, but if it gets destroyed and we need to depart from it, our Father in heaven has already prepared a place for His people.
Therefore, should we believers die, we would join a great cloud of witnesses to be with Christ forever-Those who had run the race before us, crossing the finish line in victory.
In death, we would have run the race and crossed the finish line-winners!
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
My beloved, Paul told us, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
