“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 Corinthians 5:1). So often when people are asked if they want to go to heaven, they answer “Yes” (with the qualification that they are not in any hurry). If the bus were leaving now, they wouldn’t mind waiting for the next one.
That mind-set probably comes from our fear of death, the kinship with worldly relationships, and the hope that God isn’t finished with us yet. Essentially, we don’t want to give up life as we know it.
It may be surprising, but that wasn’t the attitude of folks in the Bible. “Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling….” (2 Cor. 5:2). The Apostle Paul had an insight that we must be missing. He wanted to go home and be with the Lord, “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we at home in the body we are away from the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6).
The apostle’s outlook on heaven was obviously different than many of ours. So was his view of people. “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:16). It would seem that Paul was looking through spiritual eyes. I have to ask, “Where does this leave many of us?”
Our goal should be to grow and enjoy the heavenly perspective. Earth is not my home and Christians are new creations. Thinking that way will give us a greater desire for heaven, and help us treat our brethren with deeper love ~ yes, even the stinkers.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.