Geoff Hohneck
Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians
A Matter of Life and Death
2 Corinthians 5:1-8
14 February 2016
Death is an unavoidable fact, and inevitable for every person. But for the Christian, it is a transition into the the fulness of eternal life. In Second Corinthians 5:1 - 8, Paul gives three things the believer can look forward to after death.
A perfect body upgrade (v. 1-4)
Paul writes of our bodies like temporary tents; that "we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened" (v. 3) by life's trouble. Continuing the metaphor, Paul says that the tents will be removed one day, and some will be found naked, and others clothed. Clothed with holiness in Christ, believers long for eternity so "that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life" (v. 4). For those who have not found forgiveness in Christ, there is still time to repent.
The perfect will of God fulfilled (v. 5)
As the Lord's prayer reads, believers want God's "will be done, as in heaven, so on earth" (Matt. 6:10); and this will be fulfilled in heaven. Until then, we have the Spirit as a "down payment" of our inheritance; a promise that God will complete His work, and glorify us one day. Until then, may we work with God, striving for holiness.
The perfect home is with the Lord (v. 6-8)
Because of our certain hope and inheritance, believers "are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord" (v. 6) - but not absent forever. One day, we will be taken to our eternal homes, and given resurrection bodies - and there we will stay!
Death is not to be feared for believers. We have the sure hope of a glorious eternity with Christ; and death is merely a transition.