For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (II Corinthians 5:1)
Jesus comforted the disciples and all of us with these words, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:1-4, 6)
In the previous lesson, Paul said, Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:16-18)
We who are Christians know that there is life after this life is over, that this life is temporary, but that our life after this life is eternal. Therefore, we ...desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:16) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. (Hebrews 13:14) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
In the previous lesson, Paul said, Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:16-18)
We who are Christians know that there is life after this life is over, that this life is temporary, but that our life after this life is eternal. Therefore, we ...desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:16) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. (Hebrews 13:14) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (II Corinthians 5:2-5) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
God is so gracious and merciful towards us! Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation;..." (John 16:33) "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) But God didn't stop with just warning us that trouble was coming. Jesus also said, “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness,... (John 15:26-27) " Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)
God sent His Holy Spirit to not only abide in us, but to help us navigate this life successfully. He is in us to be our Helper, and to help us comprehend the truth, the Word of God, until our day of redemption. And when that day comes for each of us who are saved, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (I Corinthians 15:51-53)
God has something so much better for us in eternity. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ...we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:18, 23-25)
God is so gracious and merciful towards us! Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation;..." (John 16:33) "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) But God didn't stop with just warning us that trouble was coming. Jesus also said, “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness,... (John 15:26-27) " Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)
God sent His Holy Spirit to not only abide in us, but to help us navigate this life successfully. He is in us to be our Helper, and to help us comprehend the truth, the Word of God, until our day of redemption. And when that day comes for each of us who are saved, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (I Corinthians 15:51-53)
God has something so much better for us in eternity. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ...we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:18, 23-25)
So we are always confident, 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 confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (II Corinthians 5:6-8) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Hope, faith and trust go hand-in-hand. Oftentimes we think of these words as bad or a sign of weakness, because we probably used them in reference to having put our hope, faith and trust in another person who hurt or disappointed us. The problem is whom we referred to instead of the words themselves. Our hope, faith and trust should be in God the Father, the Word of God, Christ Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit first! As an old saying goes, "I keep my hope, faith and trust in God; but I keep my eyes on you!"
We can have hope in God, anticipation of a favorable outcome under God's guidance because He has said, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Hope in God leads to faith in God, which is ...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6)
It's difficult to have hope and faith because we have to believe something we can't see with our physical eyes or touch with our physical hands, but we have been given spiritual sight by God, through His Holy Spirit. As Jesus told Thomas after his resurrection, Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Those are us, and all who died before Christ's resurrection, from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and on and on, And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Hebrews 11:39-40)
Hope, faith and trust go hand-in-hand. Oftentimes we think of these words as bad or a sign of weakness, because we probably used them in reference to having put our hope, faith and trust in another person who hurt or disappointed us. The problem is whom we referred to instead of the words themselves. Our hope, faith and trust should be in God the Father, the Word of God, Christ Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit first! As an old saying goes, "I keep my hope, faith and trust in God; but I keep my eyes on you!"
We can have hope in God, anticipation of a favorable outcome under God's guidance because He has said, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Hope in God leads to faith in God, which is ...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6)
It's difficult to have hope and faith because we have to believe something we can't see with our physical eyes or touch with our physical hands, but we have been given spiritual sight by God, through His Holy Spirit. As Jesus told Thomas after his resurrection, Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Those are us, and all who died before Christ's resurrection, from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and on and on, And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Hebrews 11:39-40)
God delivered what he promised through His Son, Christ Jesus' death and resurrection, that we too may have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:54-57)
Hope and faith in God leads to us being able to trust God, believe in Him and follow and obey His Words because we know He is true and His Word is the truth. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. (II Corinthians 5:8-11)
One day we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and if we have put our hope, faith and trust in him while living on this side of eternity, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:24-25) The terror of the Lord is nothing to joke about!
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:31, 35-39) AMEN!
Hope and faith in God leads to us being able to trust God, believe in Him and follow and obey His Words because we know He is true and His Word is the truth. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. (II Corinthians 5:8-11)
One day we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and if we have put our hope, faith and trust in him while living on this side of eternity, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:24-25) The terror of the Lord is nothing to joke about!
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:31, 35-39) AMEN!
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