God’s Renewing Word of Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
2 Corinthians 4:16—5:10: Paul says that eternal glory awaits those who suffer for the sake of the gospel, and he assures the Corinthians that all who follow Jesus will be given new life and new spiritual bodies. He compares life on earth to a journey; our human bodies are like tents that we travel in and that are not permanent; once they are destroyed, God will provide for us an eternal heavenly body.
Scripture Reading
Living by Faith
16For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. 17And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. 18For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.
1 For we know that when this tent we live in—our body here on earth—is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever. 2And now we sigh, so great is our desire that our home which comes from heaven should be put on over us; 3by being clothed with it we shall not be without a body. 4While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life. 5God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.
6So we are always full of courage. We know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord’s home. 7For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight. 8We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord. 9More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there. 10 For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life.
Today’s Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:1b
God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever.
Reflect
Reread 4:18. What does that verse teach about living by faith? What verses reflect a yearning for a home in heaven? In 5:7, Paul says that “our life is a matter of faith, not of sight.” What does that verse mean to you?
Pray
Lord God, even as we sigh, longing for our home in heaven, we seek to do your will here on earth and share the Good News of your love and salvation. As we await that glorious day, help us to do all that is pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
2 Corinthians 5:11-21: Through Christ, all human beings can be made God’s friends.