2 Corinthians 5:1-8 – Holding to Promises
In verse 5, Paul says that God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. If you were to purchase something and put a down payment on that purchase, you would say, ‘I hereby promise that I will pay in full the price of this item, and here is my down payment.’ And God has given us a down payment, a guarantee of His promise to redeem in full those who belong to Him. That down payment is Himself. It’s the indwelling Holy Spirit who is promised to live in us as a comforter, as a down payment of the eternal life that we have in Him.
In verses 6 through 8 Paul is speaking of the home that we have. Paul talks about walking by faith and not by sight. We don’t presently see Christ or the throne room of God with our physical eyes. Those things are seen in God’s Word through the eyes of faith. So while we live in this mortal life, we rest on God’s promises that He will immediately receive us into heaven upon our deaths. And walking by faith and not by sight gives us confidence to live for Him, and the peace to die, knowing that we will be received by God into His presence.
Are you afraid to die? Maybe you are not a Christian. If that’s the case, there can be an incredible fear of what the future holds for you. And it’s right for you to fear your death because God has promised that those who rebel against Him will face an eternity of endless suffering of God’s wrath. I call you to trust in Christ, to repent of your sins, and to turn to the only one who can deliver you. In Him there is a home and forgiveness. But as a believer, you also may worry, and fear, and wonder what the future will hold. We can address that fear by seeking out the promises of God. Upon our deaths, believers will be received into glory. We trust that Jesus forgives our sins, and so meditate on the promise that the Lord will receive you into His presence. You may know loved ones or you may know other believers that the indignities of aging and the frailty of a life that is affected by sin is having its way. And I would urge you to go to that one and to give them comfort, to remind them that while this house is falling apart, that there is for believers an eternal rest and an eternal home. Go to them and remind them of the promises of God, that Jesus Christ has said, “I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, there you may be also”.
Question
- What is the Holy Spirit a guarantee of?
Prayer Points
- Pray for those struggling with the frailty of life.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.