“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God—a house not made with hands—eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from Heaven.”
II Corinthians 5:1-2
Although it’s always there, by faith we patiently endure—knowing that one of these days we’ll finally reach that welcome Shore.
“Earnestly desiring.”
Such small words; yet such large implications and ramifications. There’s no doubt Paul’s use of the words “earthly house of this tabernacle” refers to our human bodies. Consequently, we know that our “clay houses,” in which we live, are temporal and one day will return to the dust from whence they came (Gen. 3:19).
Yet, somehow we forget that this was a part of the “wages” of Adam’s sin and we spend countless hours in diet and exercise, trying to prolong the “inevitable.” Now, it’s good that we eat right and exercise, for such are a part of “keeping our body under subjection” (I Cor. 9:27). But, again, no amount of low-carb diets and six-day-a-week exercise programs will keep us from growing older and feeling more aches-and-pains as the years go by.
That’s why it’s important to keep an eternal perspective on things when it comes to “advancing maturity.” We know, as someone once said, “We’re only one heartbeat away from death.” And, we know if we live long enough that everyone we know—friends, loved ones, etc.—will one day also “go the way of all flesh.”
But, in the midst of this “daily dissolving” (Grk. “kataluo”—“to loosen down, demonlish, be destroyed, be overthrown, etc.”) or continual physical deteriorating right before our eyes, we can still have joy and hope in the Holy Ghost by remembering “we have a building (new body) from God—one not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” And, according to God’s Word, that new, glorified body will be “fashioned like unto Jesus’ glorious Body” (Phil 3:21), which means it’ll never again suffer disease, deformity, disability, etc. Hallelujah!!
Think of it, Pilgrim:
After Jesus’ Resurrection, He was able to miraculously appear in the disciples’ midst without having to use the door (Jn. 20:19). Does this mean He was able to dematerialize and then reappear? Or, like some ghost, did He just float around—one moment here and the next moment gone?
In reality, it doesn’t really matter, does it? No, not really—although it’s interesting that Jesus took the time to show them that He was not a ghost and could still enjoy a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb after initially appearing to them (Lk. 24:36-43).
We cannot picture how our glorified bodies will be (I Cor. 2:9). But, one thing is clear: Our “earnestly desiring (Grk. “epipotheo”—“to dote upon, intensely crave a possession, lust after, yearn for, etc.”) to be clothed with our Heavenly body” should not create discontent within us while still enroute to our Heavenly Home. Stay faithful and focused—even when the “walls” are sagging and the “foundation’s” creaking and cracking. You’ll be “Home” soon enough.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated September 5, 2010
