2 Corinthians 5:7 - Living by faith or by sight?
2 Corinthians 5:7 - Living by faith or by sight?
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.
A distinguishing quality of a person of faith is that he has a
stronger attachment to God than to his environment; in other words, he
finds his reason for living in God rather than in his surroundings.
[Megiddo Message Magazine]
The beginning point of faith is believing in God's character --
he is who he says he is. The end point is believing in God's
promises -- he will do what he says he will do..... This confidence in the
realities that are unseen allows believers to persevere in this faith,
regardless of persecution, opposition, or temptation. (Life Application
Commentary)
What we see, "facts," isn't always correct. For instance, we
look at matter and see it as solid; yet, in reality, matter is almost
all empty space. We look at the ground and judge it to be unmoving,
even though it is moving very quickly through space. We can be in a
closed, empty room and hear nothing, even though the air in the room is
filled with radio waves carrying all sorts of sounds that we, left to
ourselves, can't hear. What we see certainly is far from the whole picture.
[SS Lesson 10/8/2010]
APPLICATIONS
Walk by faith, not by sight. As you take steps of faith,
depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you... When I gave
you My Spirit, I empowered you to live beyond your natural ability
and strength. That's why it is so wrong to measure your energy level
against the challenges ahead of you. The issue is not your strength but
Mine, which is limitless. By walking close to Me, you can accomplish
My purposes in My strength. (2Co. 5:7; Gal. 5:25) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
Be willing to follow wherever I lead. Follow Me
wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don't
know what lies ahead, I know; and that is enough! Some of My richest
blessings are just around the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless very
real. To receive these gifts, you must walk by faith--not by sight.
This doesn't mean closing your eyes to what is all around you. It
means subordinating the visible world to the invisible Shepherd of
your soul.
Sometimes I lead you up a high mountain with only My hand to
support you. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the view
becomes; also, the more keenly you sense your separation from the world
with all its problems. This frees you to experience exuberantly the
joyous reality of My Presence. Give yourself fully to these
Glory-moments, awash in dazzling Light. I will eventually lead you down the
mountain, back into community with others. Let My Light continue to shine
within you as you walk among people again. (2Co. 5:7; Psa. 96:6; John
8:12; Psa. 36:9) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
EXAMPLES
The "Elijah complex" can rob you of power and joy, so beware!
Elijah went from victory to defeat because he started walking by sight
and not by faith (v. 3). He believed the queen's words but not God's
word, and he forgot how God had cared for him for three and a half
years. Fear replaced faith, and he ran for his life.We need to obey
these words: "Do not be afraid; only believe" (Mark 5:36). [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re 1Ki.19]
Caleb was one of the spies whom Moses sent to explore the
Promised Land. Upon returning, only he and Joshua reported that the
Israelites should obey God and enter the land. The other spies insisted
that such a mission would be too dangerous, and the people sided with
them. That entire generation died in the wilderness (see Numbers
13-14, March 9-10). Only Caleb and Joshua were allowed to live and
eventually enter the land.
What was the secret to Caleb's faith? He persevered. Caleb
refused to go with the majority opinion when it contradicted what he
knew to be God's will. Because of his faithfulness to the will and
purposes of God, Caleb never lost his spiritual edge. He had to endure
forty years of desert wandering before he could enter the Promised
Land, yet he never doubted God's ability to carry through on his
promise.
You've begun a spiritual walk with the Lord that will last
the rest of your life. You will face "desert" times that might cause
you to doubt God's promises. Like Caleb, stand for God's truth, no
matter what the rest of the crowd says. Like Caleb, trust God to carry
through on his promises. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Jos.
14:6-14]
God had told the people to enter and possess the land, but
they preferred to spy it out just to see if God was really telling
the truth! Well, He was - it was a rich land, a beautiful land, and
a fruitful land. But there were giants! "We are not able to
overcome!" This was the majority report.
The minority report came from Caleb and Joshua, and Moses
agreed with them: "We are well able to overcome it!" This is the Old
Testament version of Romans 8:31: "If God be for us, who can be against
us?" The majority saw the obstacles, and they were bigger than their
God. The minority saw God, and the obstacles disappeared!
Unbelief always cries and complains. It plays the same tune:
"We are not able!" The nation had the promises of God to lean on
and the presence of God to depend on, but they preferred to walk by
sight. It cost them forty years in the wilderness, the world's longest
funeral march!
Christians do not fight for victory; we fight from victory.
Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). John said, "This is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 Jo.5:4).
Either we are overcomers - or overcome. Warren Wiersbe; [Time
with God SB]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130901-1539.html
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