2 Corinthians 5:1–10—In Sunday’s epistle reading, St Paul looks forward to eternal life in heaven, when we shall live forever in our glorified bodies, no longer made frail by the ravages of sin. Paul has supreme confidence in what is to come, for his confidence rests, not in the whims of man, but in the surety of God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. The Christian, who lives by faith in the promises of the Lord, rejoices at the thought of being at home with the Lord.
We have such hope because of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus. For three days Jesus slept in the tomb. But on the third day he rose victoriously. The hope we have in Christ; namely the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting comes from the work of Christ who rose victoriously that first Easter morning. Because he lives you will live also!
Paul is speaking about his hope for life after death. He states that when physical death comes God will provide him with a new body – spiritual and immortal. In this passage Paul returns to the fact that he is still on earth in a physical body. To live on earth is to be in a physical body and separated from Christ who is at the right hand of God, to die is to have a new body and to be with Christ.
Since he is still in the body he must walk by faith and not by sight. He prefers to die that he might be with Christ. Until that happens his aim is to please God who holds him accountable for all the deeds done while in the body on earth. 1
Prayer for the Church: Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve You and, in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; 2
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