OUR HOUSE FROM HEAVEN

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from "For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).

Devotion 12 of 12

CONCLUSION
The prospect of occupying our "house from heaven" will produce a correct view of affliction. "For

momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17). Affliction can be seen as "momentary and light" ONLY in view of eternity. Take that perspective from the people, and you have thrown a burden upon them--one that is more than they can bear. Earth-centric religion puts a weight upon the people of God. Accentuating hardship and affliction--searching for fleeting solutions for momentary problems--may appear wise, but it is not! We must point the afflicted to their "house from heaven." We must remind them they will soon be "present with the Lord." If they lose this perspective, their afflictions will be neither "momentary" nor "light." Without this hope, affliction is lengthy and burdensome.

Spiritual life demands a proper perspective. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:18). One of the things "unseen" is your "house from heaven." Ask the Lord to help you to consider it, anticipate it, and plan for it. It has been prepared for you, and is reserved for you. You are now being readied to occupy that glorious house. A religion that points you to the earth is your enemy. One that provokes you to a consideration of eternal things is your friend!

Fundamental spiritual knowledge includes the persuasion that you DO have a house in heaven, to be occupied when you leave your present body, which is but a tent in comparison. "For we KNOW that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (5:1) There is a confidence that comes from this awareness that is unparalleled in all of human experience. It is largely missing in the contemporary church, but can be possessed by all. "Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight-- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:6-8). I urge you to seek to excel in this confidence. If you are in Christ Jesus, you ARE groaning now because of the restraints of the earthly tent. You DO have a building of God, eternal in the heavens, and you will soon take permanent residence
there. Hold on your way until the time of occupation! "For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay" (Heb 10:37, NIV). Appropriate the truth by faith. If you are living by faith, the time of your deliverance is drawing near. LOOK UP!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I am longing for the time I will occupy my house from heaven--a house You have made for me. In Jesus name, grant me grace to keep this hope dominate in my life.

-- TOMORROW: New Series, GOD OFFERS REWARDS --