2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

We often do not like talking about death. There is a fear that not only will our life end, but that there might be something afterwards that we won't like.

There is a huge contrast between this and the words of Paul in this reading (5:1). There is such confidence! Paul knew that this world is fragile and temporary. But that did not phase him - he knew of the feast things that would follow for him, because of his faith.

Believers live in two dimensions at once ?

During chapter 4, Paul hints towards this, but at then end he makes it clear. We live in this finite, decaying world - we cannot escape the reality of age and pain. Yet we also live in the eternal life of Jesus kingdom. Inwardly we grow more and more alive in Christ as we go on. And we have a confidence that when we do die, it will not be the end.

How can we know this? ??‍♂️

It all hangs on the glorious, history-shaping resurrection of Jesus. We know that because Jesus rose again there is a place for us in God's eternal house in the New Creation.

This truth not only makes life after death completely certain but it also completely changes our life before. We have our foot in an eternal kingdom - a citizenship of holiness. Such a thing should make us want nothing but to live our lives for the glorious saviour who rose from the dead.

So what are the consequences?

A different perspective on troubles ?

We can now compare our trials and temptations to the future heavenly life. And what happens? That future massively outweighs the things of this life. They are almost insignificant compared to that.

When things are hard, all we need to do is look to that day. The day when things will be made right. Remember - this isn't now. We won't escape ill health or difficult times in this life. But remember and end will come.

We fix our eyes on the unseen ?

We have no way of seeing what happens when we die. Yet if we focus our attention on that future, then we can let go of the futility of the finite world. The things in it will never make us truly happy. It will be a futile chase for wasted moments of fleeting happiness.

But remember: the tomb is empty! Death is defeated! This life has no hold on us; we are free to live life in the hope of a future with God eternally.

We are never homeless or naked

In chapter 5 Paul is thinking about the glorious future. He knows that death does not mean a spiritual "homelessness". We will be exposed or condemned before God. When we die, we do not lose our body and become exposed. Paul's language here clearly speaks of an "overcoat" - a physical form over our resurrected spirit. But speculation about this is not advised. All we know is that we will be somehow embodied.

We will get this body when Christ returns and sets up His kingdom. But Paul seems to worried about dying before Christ's return. Again, this is something that should not really be speculated about much - and we don't really need to know much about it.

Death will not rob us of existence with God. If we die before Christ's return we will be with God. We immediately exchange our earthly body for the new life and body. Something more real than we can ever know now.

Home or away... And judgement

Paul closes this discussion with a clear ambition - we are to please the Lord, no matter what body we occupy. But remember there is still a day of judgement. We must visibly appear before the heavenly judge - before Christ.

But do not panic! Remember the gospel. We are not saved by our good works or pleasing of God. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone out of grace alone. That is not to say pleasing God is still not important. We will still be examined. So make every day count for Jesus.

Christians do not lose our life upon death. We find it. We are raised with Jesus to live forever. And so we can life and die with confidence in our future glory.