Day Thirty Five

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

1.) 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.) For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

3.) if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.

4.) 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.

5.) He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6.) So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,

7.) for we walk by faith, not by sight.

8.) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

9.) So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.

10.) 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.

         The Bible is a closed book. By that, we mean that the Bible is not to be added to nor taken away from. Much of ‘Christendom’ would say differently, that you can twist it anyway you like and it is OK. But to do so, we put ourselves in peril.

         While it is a closed book, it is also a living book. How many times have we read a particular passage and gotten one thing out of it, and then read it again later and got something else? The two things will not disagree from one another, but will complement one another. Although, there are some passages that we read that we do not like and so we never read them again.

         This is a passage that many would rather not be bothered with. It talks of the end of life. We don’t want our lives to end. But Paul says that it is better to be out of our bodies and be with the Lord. That’s just crazy talk! Verses six, seven and eight say this; 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.Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. How can we prefer to be away from our lives?

         Christians in their eighties and nineties who are approaching death will have a different attitude. They have struggled enough. They have loved ones in heaven. They look forward to a place far superior to this realm. But for younger people, their children and grandchildren and spouses are all part of their good life. This is as God intended. If we are to love and be loved, how can we wish to leave?

         Paul also said in Philippians 1:21-24; For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Paul understood the desire to stay, but he also understood the desire to depart. Christians should enjoy their lives and be grateful. However, there comes a time when the balance tips and we begin to desire to be home with the Lord.

         I have seen Christians who were dying who feel as though there is more to do here. They want to live. Yet, they are not afraid of actually dying. They just wish they had more time. I have also seen Christians who were dying who were worn down by life. They are weary. They also do not fear death. Many are eager for it. In both cases, for a Christian who is confident in the Lord, there is no fear. How is that possible? In the passage at the start of this writing, verse 10, Paul says; 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. 

         We don’t fear death because we know that Christ paid for our sins. When we stand before the Lord we will be found to be clean and worthy of heaven. We may have a desire to stay and watch the grandkids grow up, but when we do pass, we will walk the streets of glory.

         In Ecclesiastes 3 we are told that there is a season for everything in life. Everything comes and goes. We often call it the circle of life, although Ecclesiastes is much more explicit in what is contained in the circle. There is, though, coming a time for us when the seasons of life will stop and we will enter into the final season forever.

         Today’s prayer is a prayer of thanks. Thank the Lord that the Sacrifice that was made provides you an eternal place with Him.