A Christian View Of Death Series

2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-10 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series]

A CHRISTIAN VIEW OF DEATH

[Romans 14:8-10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15]

Paul is full of confidence toward life, death, and the hereafter (vv. 6, 8) because God has provided believers with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that we will receive resurrected spiritual bodies (v. 5). The enabling Spirit gives convincing witness to the indescribable glory that awaits those who are in Christ. We can be assured that death leads to a closer and more meaningful relationship with Christ.

But what happens when this life is all over? Does it make any difference how you lived or what you did for the love of Christ? Do we have any responsibility to please God? All are under grace by which we are saved, right? Yes, but how we lived life on earth will affect our eternal existence in Heaven.

Ultimately what matters in light of eternity, in light of where we’re going, in light of the new body awaiting us, in light of who we will be answering to, we should live to please the Lord. The faithful Christian's desire, whether on earth or in Heaven is to please God (CIT). We are to live each day with eternity’s values in view.

I. THE GOOD COURAGE OF FAITH, 6-8.

II. THE RECOMPENSE OF LOVE, 9-10.

Verse 6 indicates that the residence of the Spirit, who confirms our eternal existence with God, should fill the believer with confidence and courage. “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.”

Therefore, with the enabling deposit of the Holy Spirit Paul is confident, or “of good courage.” Because of the indwelling Spirit we can live courageously. This courage is not a mere temporary feeling due to passing excitement. The word [tharrountes] always indicates a permanent state of mind, on all occasions and under all circumstances even amidst the dangerous discouragements of which Paul spoke and will speak. The ground for this bold confidence is not natural courage or the strength of convictions but it is a courage produced by the indwelling Spirit. It is the natural consequences of following His leadership.

The next clause which begins with “knowing” is additional confidence the Spirit grants us. This knowing is also constantly available and not dependent on moods or circumstances but on the enabling of the Spirit. We know we will be found in one of two places; either in Heaven or on earth (Eph. 3: 15). At home is here with one's people (en-demeo from demeos -people). Absent (en-demeo -life abroad) is out from one's people. It is interesting that the metaphor used for living life here “absent from the Lord.” [The word ekdidomi, typically translated as “absent” or “away,” can also mean “exiled.”]

As is seen in this verse the moment we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord. This understanding is most clearly seen in Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross when He said, “Today thou shalt be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Verse 7 indicates that to focus not on present but on eternal realities, not on the seen but on the unseen, is to live by faith, not by sight. “for we walk by faith, not by sight [appearance].”

Paul was sustained in life by realizing it was a temporary transitory state (4:18). He focused not on present conditions, not on the seen, but the unseen. To live this way is to walk by faith, not by sight. It is to live in the light of the ultimate rather than immediate realities (Rom. 8:24-25), to be obedient to God's Word despite the hardships that such love produces. These hardships help produce the groans for heaven not because we long to die but because we long to live. Until then we must walk by faith not sight.

An elderly gentleman was greeted, "Nice to see you in the land of the living." He replied, "Oh I'm not in the land of the living, I'm in the land of the dying. But I'm looking forward to being in the land of the living soon."

We who follow Jesus Christ must do so by faith. It's a step-by-step pilgrimage. It's like a hiker on a narrow mountainside trail, unable to see the path ahead. Sometimes the way is clearly marked out before him. At other times, it turns abruptly to the right or left, becomes rugged or muddy, rises or falls sharply. All he knows is that he must take the next step.

But our spiritual walk of faith differs from that of a mountain hiker. Through faith in Christ, we can keep moving forward with full confidence that we will reach our destination.

This anonymous poem describes the walk of faith: