II Corinthians 5:7

By Faith, Not By Sight


Introduction

This verse is part of a context which begins in chapter four. Paul had spoken earlier of the new ministration of the Spirit with which he had been entrusted, and had shown its superiority over the old ministration of death delivered in temporary glory to Moses (3:6-16). He confesses his inadequacy for such a ministry, but expresses assurance of divine assistance (3:4-5). This ministry calls for a selfless and honorable fulfillment, because it points to the glory of Jesus Christ (4:1-7).

All these are spiritual realities. Yet the gospel, its ministers and its recipients are now in a fleshly world-order which does not see spiritual light, but darkness - and lives accordingly. This results in a conflict between those who behold God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ (and are being changed into that glorious likeness) and the world around them. In the midst of this conflict and out of the persecutions which it brings, Paul encourages his brethren who share the same conflict.

Body

I. PREMISES (4:16-17).

   A. The outward man is perishing
                      but
       The inward man is being renewed daily .

   B. The Christian's affliction (literally "pressure") is light and momentary
                     but
        His weight of glory is exceeding and eternal.

        On this basis Paul explains his ability to endure present affliction with joy and hope.

II. PRINCIPLES (4:18).

   A. Things which are seen are temporal (physical eyes can only see physical matter, and all the physical creation is passing away),
                    but
   B. Things which are not seen are eternal (see also Hebrews 12:1-3).

    These principles explain how Paul can make such premises as already noted. Because he trusts these principles, he looks by faith at things which are not seen and are therefore eternal, not at things which are seen by physical eyes and are therefore passing away.

III. PROMISE (5:1-8).

   A. If this earthly house of dwelling be destroyed, the Christian has another dwelling far better.

    The present house                         The future house
    1. Earthly                                       1. Heavenly
    2. "Constructed" by parents            2. From God, not made with hands
    3. Temporary by nature                  3. Eternal in the heavens
    4. "Mortality"                                  4. "Life"
    5. Absent from the Lord                 5. Present with the Lord
    6. Groan to leave it                         6. Desire to achieve it

   B. Because of this promise from God the Christian has both life-goal and assurance.

        1. Goal: God wrought us for this very thing.

        2. Assurance: We have the earnest of the Spirit.

   C. Such a life may be summed up as "by faith, not by sight."

IV. PURPOSE (5:9).

   A. The former considerations result in one compelling life-desire: to be well-pleasing to God.

        1. Because of the future judgment (5:10-11).

        2. Because of the past sacrifice of Christ (5:14-16, 19-21).

   B. The desire to please God results in the Christian's present suffering, and shows that he is not "beside himself" but seeing soberly (5:11-13). The Christian is in a new dimension of living in Christ (5:16-17).

Conclusion

Because he believes what is past concerning Jesus Christ, the Christian can hope for the future concerning himself. Though he suffers in the present, his life is characterized by both aim and security - neither which the world can offer. He is not, therefore, beside himself, but a sober and responsible person. He is simply walking by faith not by sight.

Paul describes himself from the standpoint of faith and of sight - encouraging other Christians to recognize the difference and not to become distressed over what merely appears to be the case (4:8-11; 6:8-10).

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