After Paul looked ahead to “an eternal house in heaven” in 2 Corinthians 5:1, he acknowledges the challenges of not being there, yet.
Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead 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 instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:2-4 NIV
Regardless of what it will be like to live in eternity with God, we – at the deepest levels of our being – want to be in that better state. Our bodies wear out, and the trials of this life sometimes leave scars. Our hearts ache with the pain of suffering and loss in this world. Our souls have this hole in them that can only be filled by God, but we’re still stuck – for now – in this world that was cursed because of our sin. We groan under the burden of living in this shadowland, especially as we think about the light of things to come that will last forever.
In fact, Paul describes us as being “unclothed” in this current state. Yes, from a physical sense, we follow common decency when going out in public (and that’s a good thing!) However, from a spiritual sense, in this world where sin runs rampant (even while God limits the reach of evil forces), we’re out in some pretty harsh elements. Think about what we have to deal with in this mortal life that won’t be present in eternity with God, where there is no sorrow or mourning or pain. Living in this world exposes us to all sorts of trials, dangers, and outright harm: to our bodies, our hearts, and our minds.
So, in comparison to what we look forward to, this temporary life is like being stuck outside without the right clothes or supplies, whether in the Arctic, or in a thunderstorm at sea, or in the desert, or on the run from a volcano erupting lava!
- Here, our bodies are at risk of starvation, injury, and disease, as well as from others harming us. In eternity, we won’t have to worry about any of those.
- Here, our minds are barraged with bad ideas from a corrupted world, and plenty of things that we can’t figure out. In eternity, I believe that we will be able to learn from God – and about God – forever in truth.
- Here, our hearts are weighed down by sorrow and brokenness. In eternity, we will no longer be hurt by friends who turn on us, or by losing loved ones.
So, when Jesus returns, I think that it will be like someone who has been living in a flimsy pup tent in the wilderness without the proper clothing, moving into a fully-stocked mansion with a comfy bed, a full wardrobe, and a fully stocked kitchen. That is something to look forward to!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 19, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, May 19, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 2 Corinthians, by William R. Baker. © 1999 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 