March 31, 2011 – 2 Corinthians 4:7 - 5:21

Obviously I am writing this one a little late because 5:7 reminds me of the first reading from this Sunday about not judging by human sight but seeing things as God sees them.  (It was the story of Samuel anointing David as opposed to his older brothers).

One thing this verse could be used for is in support of the theology of “Faith Alone”.  Someone could see this and say “see, here it is, the Bible says we walk by faith” and equate that to faith alone saves us.  The issue is that they do not take it in its full context.  First, this is in the context of talking about the actions we take (St. Paul in this particular case) and how they may be judged by others.  He is telling them that they do not know the hearts of men and that the actions, if taken solely on how the look on the surface, may be misjudged.  God sees into the intention, the heart of the person, and can correctly judge the merit of a man.  St. Paul is talking about the things he is doing and how he strives to do God’s will and regardless of what people think because they do not know his heart.  He is walking by faith, not human sight.  He is seeing as God sees, not man. 

Secondly, the faith alone person only has to go 3 verses down and read 5:10 to see that St. Paul is telling them that their works will be judged by Christ.   For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  5:10  How much clearer can it be that our works matter.  Faith alone cannot save a person if their works are judged as bad.  Faith and works go hand in hand.