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2 Corinthians 5:1-10

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. ⁴ 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. ⁵ He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

⁶ So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, ⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Summary: What happens when the Christian dies? The answer Paul gives is that the Christian will receive their heavenly dwelling, being at home with the Lord, which should stimulate and encourage them to greater faithfulness in this life. Paul, at the end of chapter 4 spoke to his experience of his outer body wasting away when he says that his inner self is being renewed day by day. Going further he now speaks to what happens when life ends. He encourages the Christian with the hope of the resurrection, the new body, the new and eternal life which is all grounded in the glorious promise of the Spirit. He immediately turns from what that day will bring to what this means today. The reality of life after this life means we can live with courage and faithfulness, regardless of times and circumstances. Join us in prayer that the Lord might both instruct and encourage us in this text.