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 may be swallowed up by life.” – 2 Corinthians 5:4 (ESV)
Reflecting back to the promise verse three days ago, we considered what Paul the Apostle meant by “to die is gain.” In our world, we nearly always consider death to be a loss. Loss of life, family, loved ones…whatever is precious to us is lost to us when we die. Paul restates that he could hardly wait to be in his glorified body. Paul wrote about fixing his eyes “not on what is seen but on what is unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Paul wanted the fullness, through the fulfillment of all that God had planned for him in eternal life, when we lose all that is earthly and human as we exit this world. He states this by making the allusion that the temporary decaying part of us being swallowed up by what is eternal life. We will have immortal imperishable spiritual bodies in heaven. Perhaps a true loss for us happens when we prefer what we have now over what we will have been promised. Now, our life is poorly dressed with the rags of humiliation and hardship. Let’s focus on what we will be dressed in and not treasure our poor present state of being.
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Esengo Mingi 