Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

2 Corinthians 5:2-4

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Paul brought up his outlook on life, which I would call "life as tent-living." He might have been felt how life is temporary and short through his profession of tent-making. Life on earth is not the ultimate destiny for our lives, and we are only living on earth as guests and visitor.

Who's a guest? When you are away from home for business, everywhere you go and stay is pretty much the same once you draw the curtain, and as soon as you are done with your business you'd be heading home. To Christians, even though we are just guests on earth, we do have the mission to proclaim God's beauty. Once we complete the work that God entrusted us, we can return to our heavenly home and be with Him forever.

Who's a visitor? If we visit a rundown campsite for a retreat, even though we don't like it, we're only going to be there for a few days, so we'll just try to tolerate it. No one will buy a big screen TV or great stereo system for the campsite because of few days in a retreat. Similarly, Christians are only visitors on earth, and we don't need to make too much to enjoy life on earth. Hebrews 11:8-10 says "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Paul used many analogies to compare and contrast life on heaven and earth. First, it's the contrast between tent on earth and everlasting house in heaven; then it's the contrast between being naked and clothed. Both analogies point out the fact that the beauty and abundance of being with the Lord is far better than what the world can offer. Therefore, we shouldn't just passively live on earth, but we should eagerly wait for the Lord's coming with a proactive attitude. Do you have the hope that you and I will with be the Lord forever? Let us understand that we must live on earth by faith, not by sight.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, please open our eyes so that we may see once again that we're merely visitors on earth. May the Lord help us not to waste life by just living for our desires, but to race for the house in heaven. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!