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”. ~