Note on 2024/05/26 - ‭2 Corinthians 5:1-21 KJV‬ - By Faith not sight

 

‭2 Corinthians 5:1-21 KJV‬

[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [3] if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. [4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. [5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. [6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  [11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. [12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. [13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. [14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.  [16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. [17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.5.1-21.KJV

Note on 2024/05/26

To be absent of the body, is to be present with The Lord. I wonder how many times I might have read this in the past, why then does it ring through to me this day. And I believe, of course, that when we pass on from this life, we will be with the Lord at our awakening to that which follows next. I even understand that we will reap what we sow, to the point of those that live by the sword shall die by the sword. How then may we be present with the Lord this day? While we are here in this world, we stand in the corruptible, surely my body too, will lay down in the dust like all others before me, someday, if the Lord does not come first. It might even be this day. These things I know and understand, it is in me to consider it in my walk. What then if my first desire is to be with the Lord?

Is it not GOD who determines the length of our days then? While we may be tasked to duty in this place, are we then not here as long as what is needed? And if then here by the design of GOD, is it not a mercy from GOD that we have more time to make a choice and live life to His Glory? Then why do I still yearn from deep within, to go back to Him from which I came? And yet, will I remain here as long as GOD has determined for me, for then it is His Will. Paul is right, I am dead to this world. My heart yearns to be present with the Lord. So-much-so, in weakness maybe, I become homesick often. This flesh in which I am, restricts and troubles me far too much and often. The flesh gets weak and is in need of sleep, when I still need to carry on.

For now at least, the flesh is the vessel I am in, the pot into which I was poured out, in. And while I am grateful that it is this flesh and not another, yes, I can even wonder at the magnificence of GOD'S creation, still would I rather be in what comes next than where I am now. It is not for the body, nor for this city, but the wickedness of this world is like a stench to me. And yet am I here for a higher purpose than I can conclude. I know, if there was no need for me to be here, then I wouldn't be here at all.

Let me use an example from this world that is much the same, that I have observed. There are some that would rather be at home, than at work. So too, are there those that would be anywhere else but home, but to the same house they return each day. When it is a weekday, then some want it to be the weekend, while others still dread the weekend of where they may have to be. Is man ever satisfied to be in the moment they are in?

If I then have to be here in this world, I am blessed by those who I am with. I love them, they are beautiful souls. But, I am also standing witness to all their suffering. Oh! I would be nowhere else as where I am in this moment, as it is with all my moments now; apart from this... To be with the Lord in the perfection of GOD'S Kingdom. If this, here, is where GOD needs me to be for this moment, then I stand in the Will of GOD. And if by GOD'S Will, then for this moment at least, there is no better place for me to be. For every breath and every effort has led to this moment here, and so shall this moment contribute to where I will be next. The choice is mine, life or death. 

So, besides what you may have thought at first, I am not complaining, at all. In fact, I know that I am blessed. I will be in this vessel until He, to Whom my soul belongs, draws me out for His purpose. And while I am here, it is best to get on with the things He sent me here for. A purposed life can only be valued if it stands to the purpose it was designed for. That is how I find peace in this moment. I know my past, even all that has been overcome with Christ. I know this moment, and what is required of me right now. I know my future because it is in the promise of the Most High GOD. So, am I content, in the peace of the Lord, for He holds me in His hand, He blesses and keeps me. And while I may falter and fail, GOD does not. He is no liar, but a keeper of covenants. In Him, I am sure. In Christ I am forgiven, and promised life everlasting. If I then live, I live for GOD. I am content, because I know Who holds me. I trust the Lord, in what is for this life and the next. I know I have a Savior in Jesus Christ my Lord. May GOD The Father and His Son Jesus Christ be Glorified by all, in the Holy Spirit I remain. GOD is the Architect and Builder, I am just a stone in His Hand. When Christ returns, I will be more than I am now, yet will I be only that which GOD has purpose for. 

Shalom.

Verse of the Day (Expanded)

(YouVersion/Bible Gateway)

‭Jeremiah 31:23-34 KJV‬

[23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness. [24] And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks. [25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. [26] Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me. [27] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. [28] And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD. [29] In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. [30] But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.  [31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: [33] but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jer.31.23-34.KJV