Our Earthly Tent, Our Heavenly Dwelling

“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.  
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.  
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  
We live by faith, not by sight.  
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 
                                                                           2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Paul here contrasts our “earthly tent” to our “heavenly dwelling”. He tells us that we as believers know that if this body of ours is destroyed then we have an eternal house in heaven.
He points out that while we live in this tent we groan but it will end and “what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
Paul notes that believers are given a “the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come”.
The Holy Spirit witnesses, guarantees, to the spirit of the believer that there is greater things to come when we pass from our mortal life to life eternal.
He reminds us to live by faith not by sight and to work for Christ to please God in all that we do. That we may receive what is due us.
He also notes that both Christians and non-Christians will appear before the judgement seat of Christ “that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
Dear believer
Are you doing your best for the Lord or are you to wrapped up with the things of this world.
What is more important to you having the fancy house, the nice car, the best designer clothing or serving the Lord?
Perhaps it’s time to evaluate your life? Are things keeping you from doing more for God.
Are you working long hours to pay the mortgage on your house or to meet your car payments.
Can you perhaps down size. Get a smaller house with smaller mortgage and a good used car, or new one that you paid cash for?
There’s nothing wrong with having an expensive car and house. It’s when it take you away from the things of God that becomes the problem.
There’s an old saying that goes like this, “there is only one life, that will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.”
Think about it.