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A Building from God

A Building from God

Words of Faith 9-27-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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2 Corinthians 5

   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.

 

       There is a cynical bumper sticker that says: "Life is terrible and then you die"... except, the bumper sticker is not that polite. Without the eternal perspective that Paul was revealing, we are left with nothing more than a bumper sticker philosophy of life and the conclusion that "The one who dies with the most toys wins". Praise God for the truth.

       Praise God for the truth that Jesus came to save us and give us the free gift of eternal life with God. Praise God for the truth that these frail bodies we live in are only temporary. This part of the eternal perspective is critical; otherwise nothing around us would make any sense.

     Paul shared deeply the eternal perspective God had given him regarding this life. In all the weariness of ministry and difficulty of travel, Paul had become quite aware of his human frailty. He referred to his mortal body as "wasting away". In eternity, the body we have been living in is an earthly worn-out tent (skenous) soon to be destroyed.

       The word Paul used here is the same word that John used to describe Christ's incarnate body as He "lived among us," 'tabernacled or tented' (1:14). We "tabernacle" for a while here on this earth. We "tent" for a while in this world. This is not our eternal destination. This is not the ultimate plan. The earthly body is temporary because there is a heavenly body for us that is eternal.

       The reference to the heavenly body as a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands is reminiscent of Jesus' description of His own resurrection body as a temple "not made by man," literally, not make by hand (Mark 14:58). We are destined to have a resurrection body that is like that of Christ Jesus.

       We are also going to a place that has been prepared for us. Jesus said: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-31).

       These are the bold assurances of our faith in Jesus. These are the brilliant realities of our day make earthly struggle pale in comparison. These are the destinations that really matter. These are the appointments that really count.

       We are temporary dwellers here. Like campers in a flimsy tent we await a room in the palace and body that is eternal.

 

       Father God, thank You for the gift of eternal life. I praise You for the truth of Your Gospel and the destination You have planned for me and all those who believe in You.