Confident Living in Christ

Introduction:

We must place a premium upon developing a clear sense of how our understanding of God’s Word should inform our worldview.

One sign of spiritual maturity is the ability to apply biblical knowledge to how we understand the world and our own place within it.

We meet this morning around the shared belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion and burial.

How does knowledge of that historical fact affect the boldness or confidence we have as we live in the world?

Do we live as confident Christians or as nervous doubters?

We must remember that we are citizens of heaven who, temporarily, reside in this world.

Knowledge of God’s personal trustworthiness leads to confident, yet patient waiting on Him.

Last week, we learned from Paul the true weight or burden as believers is the longing to put off (undress from) our earthly body and to put on our heavenly body.

He describes our current disposition as “groaning or sighing” for that event.

God’s Work and Guarantee

Paul did not anticipate mortality being consumed by life without foundation.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1, he explained what “we know.” Hence, he looked forward because he had information and sound reason, therefore, to do so.

He now explains the “desire” expressed in 2 Cor. 5:4.

His desire to be enveloped so that mortality, i.e. death, might be consumed by life is the core thought here.

He describes God as “the one having prepared us/equipped us” for this exact thing.

God isn’t merely responsible for the desire for this, he is responsible for enabling this event to be possible in us.

He explains that God has shown his good faith by giving us the downpayment of his Spirit.

Here is a key point, then, in Paul’s development of thought:

Paul has something real to look forward to, an actual event (the consumption of mortality by life).

He has every reason to know this will happen, namely, because of the trustworthiness of God and the guarantee He has given.

His lack of weariness, then, is justified. He will make this point now.

Courageous Living for Christ is Possible

Note Paul now draws a conclusion (2 Cor. 5:6).

It turns out, the accusations made against Paul have turned out just the opposite.

He is one being courageous in the face of danger and tribulation. (God also has not abandoned him).

He is not growing weary at all. It is just the opposite.

In 2 Cor. 5:6-7, Paul returns to the thought from 2 Cor. 4:18.

Walking by faith and note by sight (where sight refers to the difficult earthly circumstances believers experience while still in this body).

He may be dealing both with the confidence as well as his eager desire expressed above.

2 Cor. 5:6 established the strain or the burden, while 2 Cor. 5:8 expresses the confident preference.

Notice that in 2 Cor. 5:9, Paul comes to a consequence.

Paul places a premium regardless of whether he is in this body or the next one to please God.