SERVICES: SATURDAY 6PM | SUNDAY 9AM & 10:45AM. 

We Livestream at www.FaithFellowshipWeb.com/livestream, through the FFC App, and YouTube.

Swallowed up by Life

Swallowed up by Life

Words of Faith 9-28-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

 

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. [2] Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, [3] because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. [4] 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.

 

     Paul's great hope was that he would not experience death but rather would be among those raptured away at the coming of the Lord Jesus for His bride, the church. But if that does not happen and death comes and the earthly tent is destroyed, not to worry, we have a building from God not made with hands. That is the good news. There isn't really any "bad news", but there is the possibility of delay. So meanwhile we groan.

    The Greek word Paul used here means to sigh, murmur or pray inaudibly. It means to groan with grief or pain. The image is that of a person in pain or one murmuring in such deep prayer that they cannot form words to express the longing for God and His Kingdom.

     The point is that life in the "earth tent" can be difficult. Life in the "earth suit," the mortal body, is one of longing for the heavenly dwelling. By our very nature, we are born into human life longing to be free and to be found in the presence of God.

       Paul used this same phrase in his letter to the Romans saying-- "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (8:22-23).

     We aren't the only ones groaning! All creation is groaning as if in childbirth. Childbirth can be very gentle and then quite difficult-- a groaning that rises and falls and then intensifies just before birth. We participate in that same longing as we groan inwardly in our waiting for Christ.

       Paul had written about fixing his eyes "not on what is seen but on what is unseen". These verses express the same sentiment here. Paul's present life was "wasting away" and he faced death. But someday, when our heavenly dwelling is received, all such groaning and being burdened will give way to laughter and exultation. Jesus said: "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh" (Luke 6:21).

       What is mortal will be swallowed up by life in immortal, imperishable spiritual bodies in heaven. For Paul his present mortal life was like nakedness, marked by humiliation and privation. Who would want to focus on this abject state in view of the eternal glory that awaited him?

       Being in this tent, and unclothed describes mortality while being clothed and possessing a heavenly dwelling depict immortality. This present condition of fading mortality, however disquieting it may be, is not without design. As Paul had just written, ordinary mortals, like common jars of clay, are the means through which God displays, by contrast, His own all-surpassing power.

       The goal? Paul sees that our goal is to be swallowed up by life. Our groaning is only temporary. The childbirth of creation is only for a time. God is moving things toward a culmination that is wonderful and glorious.

       Father God, be with me in the meantime. Be with me in the times of groaning as I long for You and Your coming Kingdom. Give me glimpses of that Kingdom in Your Word and by Your Spirit. I am looking for the laughter. I am looking to be swallowed up by life. In Jesus' Name.