We Which Have The First Fruits Of The Spirit, Within Ourselves, Waiting For The Adoption, To Wit, The Redemption Of Our Body - Part 1962

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an 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: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." (II Corinthians 5:1-5)

For purposes of clarity, earthly house refers to our physical bodies. We have been born the image of the earthy. In another place, apostle Paul writes about the first man [Adam] being of the earth, but the second man [Jesus] is the Lord from heaven. (I Corinthians 15:47) 

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith shall also bear the image of the heavenly. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." (I Corinthians 15:50) 

Paul goes on to reveal to us a mystery. That is, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In fact, as the scripture states, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting, O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:47-57)

Indeed, Jesus said, "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:18-19)

You see, there is a promise of the Lord, wherein He wants to bring us to the next step of understanding of life in Him. It is in this context that while we who believe may be in the world, we are not of this world. How do we know? Because like Jesus said to the impotent man who had an infirmity thirty-eight years, He has made us whole. We no longer are troubled trying to get into the pool before the others so that we can receive a blessing too, but rather, we have heard Jesus saying to us in our hearts, "Rise, take up thy bed and walk!" (John 5:6-9)

And in this context, we have been cured for life, from the ailments of this world, because we know that our earthly houses are only temporary. We have a higher hope in our Lord God and Saviour whose promises are true. And as He has stated, we have proven the Lord to be who He said He is.

Therefore, as Paul writes to the believing saints at Corinth, "we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.

Wherefore, henceforth, know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [Him] no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:1-21)

Emmanuel, being interpreted, is God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) The dayspring from on high hath visited His people. (Luke 1:78) Simeon recognized Jesus as the Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:26) Mary recognized Jesus to be God her Saviour. (Luke 1:46-47) Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) told the people that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) And the apostles going forward in this current dispensation of grace told those who gladly received the Word that God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6-12)

And we being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Let those with eyes to see, see and ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.