“The Temporal and Eternal”

"1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.  6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

You cannot sit in a hospital ER or patient floor without thinking about this earthly body.  Well, let me re-phrase that.  You cannot be a Christian and sit in the ER or a hospital room without thinking about this temporal body.  

Over the past 5 days I’ve seen and heard many cries for help.  I’ve looked upon those who are hurting severely in this earthly body.  And yes, even heard the called for a “Code Blue” over the intercom system.  That really gets your attention.

I’ve watched my own wife suffer greatly with pain and wonder what was causing that pain.  Where was it coming from?  What was causing it?  Of course it brings it even closer to home when it is your own loved one suffering.  You want to do something to help them, but can’t.

But in my prayers for my wife and her relief of pain and healing, I was reminded that all of this is temporal, not eternal.  Paul states it so clearly in Second Corinthians 5 when he says, “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (5:1).  Now be sure you know, I want to live a long time and want everyone else to do the same.  But, as I said in Bible study a few weeks ago, I am not afraid to die nor for Christ to come back.  I know who holds my future.  I take great pleasure knowing that to be absent from this earthly body is to be home with the LORD.

What about you believer?  Do you dwell on the temporal allowing it to govern your thoughts and emotions for this fallen world?  Or, do you dwell on the eternal, knowing there is more waiting for you beyond this temporal life?  One can bring heartache and pain while  the other brings peace and comfort.  If you have ever dealt with someone dying who does not know the Lord, or their families following that death, the despair is enormous.  No hope is found!  But when ministering to someone dying or families who have lost a loved who was a believer, while sad for their passing, they celebrate their loved ones life for they are home with the LORD!!!

Whether a believer or not, one day folks the eternal will come into play and the apostle Paul’s great announcement will come to pass: Philippians 2:10-11 (NASB) 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I have to tell you, these past 5 days have reminded me of the temporal and eternal once again.  Just thought it might be good to remind you, that is, if you haven’t thought about for a while.

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty          

Worship, Grow, & Serve