Second Corinthians 5:6-7 says, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” Other versions use the word “live”, rather than “walk”.
The “walk” here is a metaphorical reference to the way a person conducts his or her life, while here on earth. We still use the phrase all walks of life” to mean a variety of lifestyles or cultures, don’t we?
The apostle Paul reminds his readers that followers of Christ must not build their lives around things that have no eternal value. Rather than pursuing the same things the world pursues, a Christian should focus on the unseen realities such as Jesus and eternity with God.
Paul goes on to say, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). By the way, Judgment Seat is not a judgment for sins, but a podium for receiving our rewards of obedience.
“Walking by faith” means living life in light of eternal consequences or eternal values. To walk by faith is to fear God more than man; to obey the Bible even when it conflicts with cultural commands; to choose righteousness over sin, no matter what the cost; to trust God in every circumstance; and to believe that God rewards those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Rather than loving the things of this world, Christians should spend their lives glorifying God in everything they do. And it requires faith to live this way because we cannot see, hear, or touch anything spiritual.
To walk by faith requires that we tune our hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the truth of his Word, as in John 10:27; 16:13. We choose to live according to what God reveals to us, rather than trust our own understanding, according to Proverbs 3:5-6.
