7. 2 Corinthians ch.5 Living in a Tent

7. 2 Corinthians ch. 5 Living in a tent
2 Cor. 5:1-8 ESV “For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 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. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

We live in a tent! Wouldn’t you rather live in “a building from God . . . eternal in the heavens”? You’re on a journey, but when it’s time to “break camp,” you want to go home, don’t you? “At home in the body” or “at home with the Lord”–which is better? Are you ready for “a building from God . . . eternal in the heavens”? Sounds permanent, doesn’t it? Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Wow! I wonder what kind of place He has prepared for each one of us? Think of what a marvelous job He did in creating the world! Whatever He has “prepared” for us is going to be awfully nice and “just right” for each of us.

“A place for you”–that has a nice sound to it, doesn’t it? We all need “our place” and there’s none like the one Jesus is specifically making for you. You’ll really be “at home” then for the first time in your life! I hope you’ve had a wonderful home here on earth as I have had for 54 years so that you will have just “a little taste of heaven” while you sojourn here on the earth. At home you are loved and you are with your own people and that’s the most wonderful part of it. Minnie and I traveled together so often and when we were away from home, I often told her, “Honey, home is where you are!” And with her there with me I was content. That’s the way it will be in heaven. We will be with the Lord and with the people we love–and what more could you ask? But He does give us more because it’s such a glorious place. We will be “swallowed up by life”–real life. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“He has prepared us for this very thing,”[NIV: He has “made us for this very purpose”] that we might spend eternity in fellowship with Him “that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:7

What effect does all this have on our attitude, our strength, and our courage? “ 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.” So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” 5:6-9
–Pastor Burnside