#23 2nd Corinthians 5:1-5 NIV

2nd Corinthians 5:1-5 NIV

Now we know that if this earthly tent 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…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.

11/27/06-11/29/06

This body we have now is fragile and dying, but God has promised us new bodies – perfect bodies. The bodies we live in now are full of pain and suffering and are burdened with sin, but the eternal bodies God will give us will be fully free from the power and presence of sin and death. There will be no more “death…or pain” (Rev. 21:3-5). God has promised this to us and it is this perfect eternal life with Him that He had planned from the very beginning and He confirms His promise to us by placing His Holy Spirit in us. We pray, “Father, thank You for freeing us from sin and death. May we long for the eternal perfection You will give to us in Your presence. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit living in us through whom we can have certainty that we truly belong to You and that just as You have begun Your work in us, making us like Christ, so You will complete Your work in us, perfectly conforming us to His likeness and giving us a new body like His glorious body – imperishable, incorruptible, and immortal. May we live every day with Your eternal plan in mind, trusting You completely. Your name be praised in all creation forever! Amen.