2 Corinthians 5:1-5

2 Corinthians 5:1-5  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.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  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.  Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Right now in the flesh, we are clothed in mortality.  Death is the inheritance of this earthly tent; someday it will return to dust.  However, our redeemed spirits are clothed in immortality.  Jesus' work on the cross has assured us of that.  Because of Christ and our adoption as sons and daughters of the Most High, we shall live forever in the household of God.  Right now our flesh is exposed to the sinful environment of this world and the vicissitudes of life.  As fleshly beings we experience the ups and downs of life.  Some days are exceptionally good, yet other days are terrible disasters.  Some days we are all top of the world, but other days we are underneath the world.  In the flesh our lives groan with the consequences of living an earthly existence.  But by faith we know this mortal being is swallowed up by life.  Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose (that we should have life) and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  God has made us for this reason that our temporary, often difficult lives, might be swallowed up by his life, new life.  To reveal this truth, He has given us the Holy Spirit to abide within us.  Because He has given us the Holy Spirit, we are assured (guaranteed) of heaven and the heavenly bodies that will eventually come to us.   

Even though life can be difficult, we do not desire to die (to be unclothed), but rather we desire to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.  We are looking forward with anticipation to our eventual heavenly bodies and our heavenly home.  REGARDLESS OF OUR ANTICIPATION, WE ALWAYS MUST BE COGNIZANT OF THE REALITY THAT WE ARE NOW CHILDREN OF GOD WITH ALL THE RIGHTS OF A TRUE OR BEGOTTEN CHILD.  Even though we are on this side of the veil of death, we are still the legitimate children of God, with all the rights of a member of his family.  Faith in Christ has made us so.  Therefore, we should act like his children to the best of our abilities even though we are still in the flesh.  We should commune with our Father God continuously through prayer, reading his Word, and willingly following his will in everything we do.  Our lives should be hidden in HIS LIFE.  This is why we discipline our lives.  This is why we attempt to be above reproach in our choices and actions.  This is why we make our lives as holy as possible, even though Jesus Christ is our true holiness.  Today, children of God, listen for the voice of God within you--listen and obey his words of instruction and receive his words of love.  Do that which is right and allow him to make you conformable to his image today.  I am confident that you will.