2 Corinthians 5:1-5 really refers back to what the apostle Paul wrote earlier. It has to do with why he and his ministry partners were so willing to endure so much for the sake of the gospel. As Pastor Matt pointed out in “Motivation to Minister,” they did this because of their belief in the resurrection – that Jesus was raised from the dead and that Christians will be raised too.
Our passage today begins with three words: “For we know …” These words show not only the reason why Paul did what he did, but also how certain he was about it. In the same way, we should know what we believe and what we act upon.
Knowing and believing in the resurrection of Jesus enables us to endure the hardships of life.
Replacing Temporariness with Eternity, Mortality with Life
Our life is ebbing away. Our earthly bodies have an expiration date. In spite of this, God is busy replacing what is temporary with something eternal.
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
– 2 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV)
In this “tent that is our earthly home” we experience suffering and the effects of sin. As it says in verse 2:
For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling …
What is behind all these earthly afflictions and groanings? Sin. It separates everything from God and causes us, like it did for Adam and Eve, to stand naked before Him. But the righteousness of Christ clothes us, removes our sin and reconciles us to God.
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.
– vv. 3-4
Through this righteousness and faith in Christ, we are able to endure the hardships of life. When we clothe ourselves with this, it enables us to recognize the life that’s promised even in our mortal state. As Paul puts it, “so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
What We Cannot Find in This World
As Christians, we might feel a bit uncomfortable in this world. This may because we know that the world isn’t providing what we know we need. Or we’re not finding the pleasure we expect to find. The world really comes up short giving us what our hearts desire.
Where does this come from? It comes from a heart for Christ. We as Christians long for something more because we’re promised something more.
Everything we need is found in Jesus Christ. We must “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to [us]” (Matthew 6:33). Those are the things we need that the world does not offer.
What We Hope for in Christ
A Scripture that goes right along with what Paul wrote here is Philippians 3:20-21:
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform four lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
What a tremendous promise! What a hope we have! We don’t have to despair because what we see now is temporary. God is making something that’s much more permanent and everlasting (see “Focusing on Eternity During COVID-19“).
Another passage that describes this wonderful hope is 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. In it, Paul explains that the perishable cannot inherit the imperishable. But through Christ, we have victory over death and are promised immortality and an imperishable inheritance.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
– v. 58
What We Are Guaranteed in Christ
This brings us to 2 Corinthians 5:5, which says:
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
As God carries us through the difficulties of life, He’s preparing us for something better than we’ve ever experienced. And our guarantee of this is the Holy Spirit – the Teacher, the Helper, the One who points us to Christ. He is going to lead us to experience our hope.
Our existence isn’t just about this temporary, difficult life – it’s about what we’ve found in Christ. This life will not last forever, but the life we have in Christ will. It’s about the One who will take our mortal bodies and swallow it up with His own life. May we all have the confidence to say, “For I know that my Redeemer lives.”
Devotional streamed on Facebook Live – Wednesday, Apr. 8 @ 3:00 PM
