1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. 4 For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Linda Vu

In verse 1, Paul says our body is like a tent. Tents are good for camping but are terrible during harsh weather conditions like storms. Our earthly bodies have an expiry date, they will eventually wear out and be destroyed, but Paul compares our resurrection bodies to stable and secure houses. God will replace these failing bodies with something eternal and everlasting in heaven.

In verses 2 and 3 Paul talks about wanting to be clothed and not found naked when we appear before God. That reminded me how sin separates everything from God, like it did for Adam and Eve when they sinned and realised they were naked before him. But through faith in Christ, God clothes us with his righteousness. Christ’s death removes our sin and reconciles us to God.

In verse 4 Paul says, “For we groan while we are in this tent.” Many elderly patients I have experienced at work live with chronic pain and are often groaning. But those who are believers in Christ look forward with hope to their new bodies, to the time in heaven when there will be no more pain. A non-believer has no hope – they may think that death will bring them comfort, but it will not. The pain of judgement will be far worse than what they experience now.

Finally in verse 5, Paul says that God is the one who “prepared us for this very purpose.” As God carries us through challenges of life, he is preparing us for something better than we have ever experienced. Our guarantee of that is the Holy Spirit whom God has given us – the Teacher, the Helper, the One who points us to Christ and hope.

This life will not last forever, but the life we have in Christ will. He is the One who will take our mortal bodies and swallow them up with His own life.

Thank God for the guaranteed eternal life we have in Christ, and for the Holy Spirit who guides us. Pray that we can be bold and have the courage to share the gospel with people who are not saved so that they can share our hope.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.