2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Our Heavenly Dwelling
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The letters to the Corinthian church were written to clarify misunderstandings. After the original establishment of this church, confusion had seized them. So Paul’s words are to once more reveal God’s intentions. In his second letter, he explains what lies before them.
We find ourselves a little more than one month into a new year. For the present, our weathermen and women have done quite well for the Tennessee Valley. They told us to brace for snow and cold weather. As predicted, we had both. The ground remained frozen for many days in a row and this had not occurred in some few years. As I write this the prediction is for spring like weather for the next several days. The high is forecast for 56º-57º. We are forewarned not to be fooled for nature is nature. The source of our warmth is the sun and time must pass before a true spring will arrive and produce lasting new growth and renewal. The Bible warns us not to worship nature but rather to worship the God who stands behind it and served as its Creator.
Man’s predictions vary greatly in their accuracy. As a result we should clearly be wary of venturing into areas into which we have no experience or expertise. For example, how will the football Vols do this year? For the first time in years, Superman will no longer quarterback for one of our southern rivals. How will these ‘can’t miss’ freshmen prospects pan out? Whose off-field behavior will make it impossible for them to continue as an athlete? Suppose someone actually doesn’t make grades favorable enough to be eligible. We all know from observation or experience that the male teen’s mind is not hardwired for clearly rational decisions until it has aged into the 20s. The “can’t miss” in our society frequently do miss. Logically, we should be wary of our ability to foretell the future.
Paul has brought an entirely different way of thinking into the Greek culture of the Corinthians. The body was not merely evil as taught by the Greek philosophers, but was God’s creation to house man’s essence, his soul. We all recognize that our bodies are temporary and terminate in death but our souls are eternal. They can never ‘not exist.’ As the adopted sons and daughters of God by the salvation of Jesus, our souls immediately go to the presence of Jesus. In Gods time, we will be given new spiritual bodies to house both our souls and spirits for eternity. We will then go about the practice of glorifying God and praising Him forever.
The Corinthians had become confused as to the conduct of these happenings so Paul writes to clarify and to assure. He then pens the important 10th verse of chapter 5. (For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.) Notice that it speaks of the judgment seat of Christ. Judgment is always an anxiety producing word for we are all plagued with the guilt of disobedience. We are aware of God’s standard of purity and how miserably we fail it on certain occasions. What is imperative for us to understand is that this scripture has nothing to do with sin. Those appearing before the Bema of Christ have been absolved of the penalty of their sin. It was punished on the body and soul of Jesus on the cross in the past. This was the Good Friday event that the Gospels so clearly describe. Double jeopardy for forgiven and punished sin is not the desire of God. It does not happen. The nature of this appearance before Jesus is review and reward.
When we lost sinners come into the adopted family of God, we become indwelled by the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit dwells on the throne of our hearts. From here He directs, informs, leads, encourages and corrects us in our efforts to become more like Jesus. Simply, we become more holy as Jesus is holy. As the Holy Spirit seats Himself to rule and direct us, He gives us gifts. These gifts are to be used for the glorification of God. These are spiritual gifts to be used for the good of God’s Kingdom. We are each given a gift or more than one gift to build up the Kingdom of God in this life. God considers these gifts to be of equal merit and they are not to be used in a selfish fashion but for the glory of God. It is our utilization of these gifts and not our sins that is to be judged at this time. The question seems simple, “What did you do with what I gave you?” Reward will be given or withheld depending upon our actions in this life. Our works will be tested to determine our motives and our diligence. Failure at this time will prompt tears and regrets but not expulsion from God’s presence. We are there based on the righteousness of Jesus and not our own. What will the reward be? A greater role and responsibility in this Kingdom for eternity.
The question for each of us is “What is your gift or gifts?” It is not to be hoarded or used for yourself alone. It is to be put to work for the glory of God and His Kingdom.
