SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
“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. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee…” (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)
Nothing reveals the aftermath of the fall like our bodies. They are susceptible to sickness, ageing, and even death. In a sense, our bodies deteriorate with each passing day and in view of eternity are short-lived. Based on this temporary nature of the body, Paul likens it to a tent. People stay in tents for a short time but don’t live in them for the long haul. In the same way, we have a temporary stay in the bodies we have been given as we await the more permanent building that will be our new bodies.
One of the striking factors of bearing these tents is that we groan. Twice in our passage today, Paul points us to this fact. We groan with a longing for that which is permanent and we groan as we are burdened with the need for better clothing. Yet the Lord has prepared for us something more permanent and has presently given us His Spirit as a guarantee. Therefore, we look forward to when the mortal will be swallowed up by life. When we will have bodies that don’t know disease, or heartache, or decay, or even death.
In view of how temporary and deriorating these present bodies are, how then should we live in them? The Bible urges us to make it our aim to please Christ. We must live in these bodies and in this present world in a manner that brings pleasure to our Lord. Also, we must be aware that our actions in these bodies will be duly repayed – either for good or for evil (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). So, yes, our bodies are giving way to something more glorious but while we live in them let us heed the wisdom of Paul:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
REFLECTION:
1. Do you long to be clothed with your heavenly body?
2. Based on how you presently live in the body, would you consider it wise or unwise?
