Thursday, July 2, 2009
2 Corinthians 5:2-4 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed 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 with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
A REAL FUTURE IN HEAVEN
The devil would like us to forget the reality of the eternal life in heaven which God has prepared for us. Because we do not immediately see it with our eyes, we do not always focus on it as much as we could. The things of this life wash around us and over us--and we see those just fine. Our jobs, our recreation, our finances, our families, our sickness and our health, our friends and relations--all these things seem to be so near, so reachable and touchable. But eternal life in heaven? That can seem "out there, a ways off" and does not always seem as real to us as the life we are living right now. Maybe we even act as though it is not so much a reality for us.
How often do we Christians consider the reality of our eternal futures? For Paul, the answer was "quite a lot". He wrote: "Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling . . . that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." This earthly life is only temporary, and the Apostle understood it as such. He realized that his real goal was heaven, and he longed to be clothed with his heavenly dwelling. When he "groaned" and was "burdened" his thoughts flew to the heavenly home that had been promised to him through his Savior Jesus Christ.
How often can we think of the reality of our eternal futures? Surely as often as Paul. For we too can say that we groan and are burdened, and thus "our eternal house in heaven" as Paul describes it can be a joyous part of our thoughts, especially when our confidence fails us; when we wonder and are troubled. Therefore we are always confident because that eternal glory is on the horizon for us--and it is real!
O Christ, do Thou my soul prepare
For that bright home of love
That I may see Thee and adore
With all Thy saints above.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 618:6)
