MAKE IT OUR GOAL TO PLEASE GOD

Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Key verse: 9

NIV

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly(A) tent(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(C) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(D) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(E) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(F) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(G)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(H) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(I) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(J) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(K) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if (A)the tent that is (B)our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, (C)a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent (D)we groan, longing to (E)put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal (F)may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, (G)who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.[b]

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that (H)while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for (I)we walk by faith, not (J)by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we (K)would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to (L)please him. 10 For (M)we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, (N)so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 5:3 Some manuscripts putting it off
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:5 Or down payment
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

One day, our earthly bodies will be destroyed like temporary tents. But we have a sure hope: an eternal building from God in heaven. God is the architect and builder of this house, and it will be more beautiful than Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. Though we experience weakness, suffering, and groaning in this life, we do not lose heart because God has promised us a glorious heavenly dwelling and has given us the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.

Because of this hope, we are always confident and heavenly-minded. Our goal is to please God. We don’t live to please ourselves, but God who prepared the best things for us in heaven and on earth.

Paul embodied this faith. For him, “to die is gain (Php 1:21).” Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” They dared to die for the glorious resurrection waiting for them. The world teaches us to make it our goal to please ourselves or others. But we live by faith, not by sight. Because of our hope for the glorious resurrection, we lose ourselves for God and the gospel.

Prayer: Father, thank you for preparing an eternal house for us. Thank you for clothing us with Jesus. I want to please you today. Help me to live by faith.

One Word: My goal is to please God