Today you should read: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Have you ever met one of those Christians who constantly complain about the world they live in and eagerly await Jesus’ second coming? Facebook posts that quote “Come Jesus Come.” “There’s something in the air” on repeat at their home and the creepy campy tribulation movie “A Thief in the Night” is the pick for family movie night every Friday night. One might even think that the above passages, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 could possibly justify such actions. Paul says in verse 2 that “we groan and long for our heavenly body” and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that was true for me every time I visit someone who is sick or witness someone who is in deep suffering because of some type of consequences of this fallen world and our fleshly sin. A Christian should long for the time that there will be no more tears and our glorified, resurrected body will be worshiping Jesus forever and ever. In verse 5, Paul shares with us that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God to guarantee us this great promise of victory over sin, Satan and death.
However, as much as we should long for Jesus’ second coming we should also be reminded that Jesus PUT us on this earth and in our earthly vessels for a purpose while we are here. He didn’t put us here just to condemn the earth and the people around us as from our little protective bubble with our end times, “please come” mindset. We are to be missionaries out to redeem the world we live in through the Gospel, making wise use of the time God has given us by trying to save everyone we can and glorifying God living the lives God has given us. In verse 6, Paul says we are to always be of good courage and verse 9 encourages us to please God with our lives whether we are at home in Heaven or away on earth. I honestly doubt that it pleases God when we complain and seclude ourselves from the very people God has sent us to and the mission He has sent us on. Let’s be Christians known for redeeming the world instead of ones who constantly just condemn it.
Posted by: Erik Koliser