An Eternal Hope

August 29, 2021 Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:10 Lesson Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18; 5:1 – 10 At some point in one’s Christian walk, one’s view of life in this world changes drastically. One begins to view the true life that is within the body. The essence of who we are, our mind, emotions, and will, is on the inside. Our physical body is aging, and we notice the gradual decline that accelerates over time. Yet, as we continue to consume the word of God and meditate therein, we are renewed day by day on the inside. On the outside we are aging while on the inside we are experiencing a fresh renewal. Our eternal salvation in Jesus Christ did not save our physical bodies. Our physical bodies continue to perish daily until, as the old folks used to say, this world can no longer afford us a home. When our physical bodies can no longer sustain life, then our souls must transition to an eternal state. That eternal state is what salvation in Jesus Christ is all about. Eternal salvation in Jesus Christ is for the inner person. While we are in these bodies in this world, we are to live a life that reflects the indwelling Spirit of Christ within us. We must align our will with the will of God so that our renewed person can control and provide guidance as to how we are to live and relate to this world. Everything in this world that can be seen is temporary. That which lives within our physical bodies is eternal. We should align our priorities with this in mind so that we don’t treat the temporary as though it is permanent. Even suffering in this world is temporary. But let us not be confused about the promises of God concerning our eternal future. We shall not spend eternity as disembodied spirits. God promises to give us a body like Jesus’ resurrected body. We will have a physical body that does not decline or decay. Our hope is not that we will experience a miracle that makes our current physical bodies strong and resilient against aging. Our hope lies with being clothed with glorified bodies that last throughout eternity. This is what God promises us. Our lesson today reminds us that while we are living in this world, we are absent from the eternal presence of God. Contrariwise, when these physical bodies can no longer sustain life in this world, then we will transition into eternity with God. The conclusion based on this is that Christians belong to God for eternity. This began with the new birth in Christ. We belong to God today just as we will belong to God throughout eternity. Therefore, we should labor to be pleasing to God whether we are living in this world in our physical bodies or have transitioned into our eternal state. In either case, we belong to God. When we leave this world, we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. For Christians, this judgment has nothing to do with salvation or damnation. Christians will be judged to determine our reward for the work we have done for Christ in our physical bodies. If the works are good, then they will be rewarded. If the works are bad, then they will be for naught, and we will suffer shame because of the work. In both cases, our eternal dwelling will be in the presence of God. There is much that we do not know or understand about this. We thank God that He has revealed enough to us about eternity to give us an eternal hope. It is indeed eternal, and neither death nor the grave can destroy this hope. On the outside, we are perishing every day, but on the inside, our hope is being renewed. Robert C. Hudson August 4, 2021