Lesson 4840

 (Lesson 4840) (04-30-25) 2nd Corinthians 5:1-10 

   “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 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.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul reflected on the temporary nature of our earthly bodies and the eternal hope believers have in God. He compared our current bodies to tents—temporary dwellings that will be destroyed. In contrast, he spoke of a "building from God," an eternal house in heaven, not made with hands, signifying the glorified bodies believers will receive. Paul acknowledged the groaning and burden experienced in our earthly existence, expressing a deep desire to live in our heavenly dwelling. This longing is not to be unclothed (i.e., to die) but to be further clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. He emphasized that God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. He encouraged confidence, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. Yet, we walk by faith, not by sight, and are confident, preferring to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Paul concluded by reminding us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. “Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess”. ~ 

Lesson 4839

 (Lesson 4839) (04-29-25) 2nd Corinthians Chapter 4 

   “Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 

 

  In today’s quote, Paul emphasized the resilience and purpose of his ministry along with its many trials. He began by affirming that, through God's mercy, he had received this ministry and did not ever lose heart. Paul and his companions had exposed and put down deceitful practices, presenting the truth openly, allowing their integrity to be evident to all. Paul acknowledged that the gospel is hard to understand to those who are perishing, whose minds have been blinded by Satan preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ. He clarified that their preaching centered on Jesus Christ as Lord, and themselves as servants for His sake. God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has illuminated their hearts to reveal the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Paul expressed confidence that, just as God raised Jesus, He will also raise them and present them together with the believers. Even though their outer selves were wasting away, their spirits were being renewed daily. The temporary afflictions they endured produced an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison. Therefore, they fixed their eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, recognizing that the seen is temporary, but the unseen is eternal. ~ 

Lesson 4838

 (Lesson 4838) (04-28-25) 2nd Corinthians 3:12-18 

   “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 

   In today’s quote, Paul contrasted the old covenant, represented by Moses, with the new covenant established through Christ. He explained that under the old covenant, Moses veiled his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the fading glory of God's presence. That veil symbolized the spiritual blindness that persists when individuals rely on the rules of the old law. Paul emphasized that the veil remains for those who follow the old laws without recognizing Christ as the Messiah. However, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed, granting clarity and understanding. He asserts that "the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," highlighting the freedom believers experience through the Holy Spirit. With seeing all things clearly, believers can behold the glory of the Lord, leading to their transformation into His image. Unlike the temporary glory of the old covenant, the new covenant with Jesus Christ offers a lasting and ever-increasing glory, reflecting the believer's growing likeness to the same. ~