April 05, 2018: SOAP #3045: Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2Corinthians 5

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent 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, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 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.

Observation:  Paul’s reference to our physical body as a tent has good parallels.  Tents are temporary as are our physical bodies.  Tents develop problems with use and age, as do our physical bodies.  After living in a tent for a prolonged time, people are ready to move into a more permanent house.

People often speak about dying as if death is swallowing up life.  But the way Paul describes death makes my spirit rejoice—the mortal is not “swallowed up” by death, but by LIFE!   Death does not end life, merely changes the mortal to eternal.

Application:  The baby’s departure from the womb surely is a good picture of the “mortal…swallowed up by life.”  The baby in the womb has no idea of the brightness, the sounds, the tastes, the freedoms that await.  All that the baby experienced in the womb is swallowed up in life.

As so, when I die, all the limitations, struggles, sufferings, of this life will be swallowed up in the eternal life of heaven!  What a day that will be!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, like Paul, I must say that to die is gain!  And to be absent from this body is to be present with you!  What joy!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!