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6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view;[a] even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view,[b] we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:6-17 NRSV Bible)
Nellie and I have several cherished memories of our babies. When our firstborn was able to crawl she came to the edge of the blanket we had placed on the floor of our old parsonage. She had proudly crawled to the edge, she stopped, and then turned to see if we were still watching. She had this little smile/hiss of a chuckle she used, and did that - she knew that made us laugh, and then she turned to the business at hand. Her little hand went off the blanket and onto the hard wood floor. Much like Neal Armstrong on his first steps onto the unknown surface of the moon, she probed. She must have thought, "No, I won't fall into the oblivion of nothingness; I will be able to support myself as I continue to explore on my own, the unknown nooks and crannies of this home. Then she made the trek off the blanket and onto the floor. Again, stop, look at Mom and Dad, chuckle, and then off she went. Years later, we dropped her off at college; later helped her move into her own home to start a job that would support her for the rest of her life.
We thank God that our daughter, and all of our daughters, are persons of fatih. All they have been able to do and accomplish have been because of that faith. Every step, every decision, guided and blessed by God, have led them far. In these verses, the Apostle Paul offers profound insights into the Christian life—a life lived in faith, with an eternal perspective. He reminds us that as believers, we walk not by sight but by faith. Our earthly existence, with all its trials and uncertainties, is temporary. Our true home is with the Lord, and it is by faith that we navigate our journey toward Him.
Paul emphasizes that our aim, whether present in the body or absent from it, is to please God. This earthly life is not about self-gratification or worldly pursuits but about living in alignment with God's will. The knowledge of the impending judgment seat of Christ compels us to live with accountability, knowing that our actions will be weighed against His standards of righteousness.
Furthermore, Paul speaks of the transformative power of Christ's love. It is this love that motivates us to live not for ourselves but for the One who died and rose again for us. Our identity is no longer defined by worldly standards but by our union with Christ. In Him, we are made new—old ways of thinking and living are replaced with a renewed perspective and purpose.
As we reflect on these truths, let us be reminded of the urgency of the Gospel message. Just as Paul was driven by the love of Christ to persuade others, may we also be compelled to share the good news with those around us. Let our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of God's love, drawing others into a relationship with Him.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for the gift of faith that enables us to walk confidently in Your will, even amidst life's uncertainties. Help us to live with an eternal perspective, keeping our focus on pleasing You above all else. May Your love continually compel us to live for Christ, sharing His transformative power with those around us. Empower us by Your Spirit to be ambassadors of reconciliation, leading others into newness of life in Christ. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on your life and consider whether you are living more by sight or by faith. Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you trust Him more fully, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the message of God's love and redemption. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with them, and seek ways to demonstrate Christ's love in tangible ways.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
