2 Corinthians 5:1-10
This chapter has so much good stuff we are going to talk about it in 2 days.
Paul continues to build on what he talked about in Chapter 4 when he touched on the glory of heaven compared to our afflictions on earth. He starts out talking about our earthly bodies. He talked about how our bodies are decaying, wasting away. But here he compares our earthly bodies to a tent.
“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
Paul says that in this tent we groan. In other words, as said before, life is hard. We are still here and we groan, we are burdened, and we find ourselves longing for better. What we are longing for is heaven. But while we are here and enduring the trials and tribulations of life that is what is preparing us for what comes next. And He has given us the Holy Spirit as a “guarantee” a down payment if you will to what is next.
“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 5:5)
The Holy Spirit was given to us to help us live this life here on earth. The Holy Spirit in us is what gives us courage or confidence to walk out this life on earth.
“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.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)
We walk by faith, not by sight. The faith that we have in Christ, and the Holy Spirit in us gives us courage. Paul was longing for heaven, he truly lived a life after his conversion that was constantly looking forward to being with Jesus. I wonder sometimes do we truly live a life that is looking forward to being with Jesus? I know there have been times in my life that I would have to say no. And even now, if Jesus asked me, I would selfishly say no, I’m not ready Lord, I want to see my grandchildren grow up, I want to see more grandchildren, I want to stay here. But in my heart, yes, I do long to see Jesus face to face when it is my time.
“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 the each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
Our aim is to please Him. Walking by faith, and longing for heaven should be done in a way that our total aim is to please Jesus. Paul was truly longing for heaven, and while yes my longing is to be in heaven one day, I want to while I am here on earth do as Paul did and make it my aim to please Him. Paul goes on here to say that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. What we have done with our salvation and did we walk by faith and not by sight will be judged in heaven, so as to receive what is due for what we have done. We will be rewarded for those things that we did right. We are not saved by our works but our salvation is what motivates our works. We aim toward heaven so we will receive the reward in heaven.
Lord Jesus I pray that I will always keep my aim toward heaven. I pray Lord that I will be of good courage and I will walk by faith and not by sight.
Please pray for the educators and the students today. Lord as we return to school, help us to stay safe.
Restore 