In chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians Paul continues to lay before believers the value of eternal things. He shows that the “house” (our body) which we are presently living in will be “dissolved” (if the Lord Jesus does not come first). The Apostle’s desire lay in looking forward to receiving his glorious body in heaven. When this takes place, the mortal condition of believers’ bodies, presently subject to death, will be forever done away. His assurance rested, not in his own thoughts, but in that which God had done.
Knowing that while in this body believers are absent from the Lord, we should, like the Apostle, desire to be absent from this mortal condition and present with the Lord. But each person will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive His evaluation of what was done while in this mortal body. Realization of this coming time of judgment when all is perfectly evaluated by God ought to so affect our hearts that we, as believers enjoying His love and forgiveness, seek to “persuade” others of this coming, solemn time.
Outward appearances, in which some would glory, are meaningless, for, Christ having died, those who live by faith in Him are part of a new creation in Christ. Paul was given, as an ambassador for Christ, a message entreating man to be reconciled to God, for those who believe are become God’s righteousness in Christ.
1. Paul told the Philippians that our present “vile body” (or “body of humiliation”) is going to be changed into something infinitely better. What will our body be like when this takes place? Philippians 3:___
2. The Apostle John reminds us that, though believers are “sons [children] of God,” we do not appear presently in this glorious form. When will this wonderful change take place? 1 John 3:___
3. Believers desire that this present mortal body might be “swallowed up” of eternal life because what enemy has already been “swallowed up” in victory?
1 Corinthians 15:___
4. What is the basis by which the Lord Jesus has overcome the devil, who has the power of death? Hebrews 2:___
5. God has told us that all are dead in sin. Where is the life, which believers receive as the gift of God, presently hidden? Colossians 3:___