"A Building From God"

Have you ever thought that your body is not the essence of  “you,” but only “houses” the real “you” (2 Corinthians 5:1). We are truly souls with bodies — not bodies with souls (James 2:26; cf. Genesis 35:16-18; Ecclesiastes 12:7).

The story is told of the great American diplomat and President, John Quincy Adams, one day being greeted by a young friend on the streets of Boston. The young man smiled and said, “Good morning, Mr. Adams. How are you this morning?” The former President, being almost 80 years old at the time, answered by saying, “John Quincy Adams, himself, is very well, thank you, sir. But the house he lives in is tumbling down. The roof is worn, and the walls are caving in, and the house trembles on its foundation with every breeze that blows — and I reckon he’ll be moving out before very long, but he, himself, is very well, thank you, sir.”

As Christians, we understand that to live well “in Christ Jesus” is all that really matters in this life (Galations 2:20; Ephesians 1:3). For as we grow old and infirmed (Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 NLT), we can be encouraged by these inspired words of the apostle Paul:

“Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 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 …. 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” (2 Corinthians 4:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1).

Beloved, as we journey through life here on earth, let this be our prayer: “Holy Father, may we be acutely aware that this life is not the end, but rather the means to the end. Please help us to so live in Christ, that we, by Thy grace, may be granted an entrance into that eternal glory, in Jesus’ name we humbly ask, Amen.“

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets