Camping can be fun, but you would not want to live in a tent all year round! In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul compares our bodies to being like a tent, they are flimsy and won’t last forever. My son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and this makes this truth so much more real to us, since he gets weaker by the day. How encouraging for us to know that there is a resurrection body.
This is not just a vague hope, Paul begins the chapter with the words “for we know” – we know because Jesus has already shown us that He has conquered the grave, rising physically from the dead. Paul says we know that when we are done camping out in this body, we have a building to look forward to – a resurrection body. Imagine you were camping in a storm, and you were offered a night in a 5* hotel. What a relief it would be to have solid walls around you! Our bodies now are getting weaker, and unless the Lord Jesus returns in our lifetime, we will die. But Paul says, that’s not the end. Now is the time of camping, then we will have a building. Something permanent, fit to enjoy God’s new creation
It’s so important that we know this, for it helps us to get a right perspective on life. Now is the time for groaning (v2), now is the time when we are burdened, but it will end! One day, all who trust in the Lord Jesus will be with him forever. This helps us to think rightly about what’s important.
I used to work in a charity shop where we put little red stickers on things that are 50p, and green stickers on things that are £1. Things that used to be worth so much are now bought for next to nothing. It’s a helpful reminder of the value of things, what are you treasuring? Have you considered that one day it will be worth nothing. Look around you, what will last into eternity? The only thing that will last into eternity is people.
As Paul considers this, he urges people to be reconciled to God (v20). Life is so short, why miss out on eternal joy! “Be reconciled to God” because we are by nature rebels against God, all of us! We don’t want God to rule over us, we want to be the boss. But have a look at 5v21, isn’t that amazing?! In his great love for us, Jesus took on himself our sin, became sin for us, died for us, taking the punishment we deserve so that we can be clothed in His righteousness. If you have come to Jesus, you are already a “new creation” (5:17). You can have confidence that on the last day, you will get a new body that won’t be subject to all the challenges we currently face. But until that day, not only do we groan, and we urge others to be reconciled to God. This life is so short and eternity is so long! Ask the Lord to stamp eternity on your eyes today.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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