2 Corinthians 5 and verse 1 reads.
2Cor.5:1] 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.
When we die, instantly we go to the Father. Ecc.12:7.
2Cor.5:2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
Our spirit sighs within our flesh, waiting and longing to be with our Father again. But knowing we came through the flesh to fulfill our Fathers law that all should come through the flesh. John 3:5 reads.
John 3:5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus would go on and say even he himself must be born of water, which is through the womb. Notice the capital S for the Holy Spirit. We must come through Jesus the Son of God or we cannot come to the Father. Back to 2Cor.5 and verse 3 reads.
2Cor.5:3] 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.
What are these clothes? Let’s go to Revelations 19 and pick it up with verse 7 and it reads.
Rev.19:7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
[8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The righteousness of the saints are our works, the only thing we can take with us to heaven. Our works we do in the flesh follow us to heaven and we are Judged on them. Do not think judgement is a bad thing, it is our rewards. And we desire for that marriage to the Lamb, Jesus Christ. back to 2Cor.5 and verse 5 reads.
2Cor.5:5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Christ has done his work he died on the cross for all of us. Don’t overlook this statement. Also, from the earnest of the Spirit gives us the Trinity again. The whole GOD head.
2Cor.5:6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
We have the truth, but not everyone does.
2Cor.5:7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
How strong is your faith? Do you believe or not. have confidence in the Lord, though you were not there, and you did not see him on the cross, we believe. Jesus would say “blessed are those that did not see and yet believe.”
2Cor.5:8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Wanting to be with the Lord we except the responsibility of doing our “works” for the Lord while in the flesh.
2Cor.5:9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
By his grace.
2Cor.5:10] 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.
We are judged out of the book of Life, good or bad, we receive our rewards.
2Cor.5:11] 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.
In truth we persuade others to Jesus Christ. Manifest is made known.
2Cor.5:12] 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.
Though we teach the word of God, there are those who are antichrist in the world today, these are false teachers.
2Cor.5:13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Called mad, we are sound in our minds.
2Cor.5:14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
We know that The Lamb of God was unblemished. He died for our sins and he had none.
2Cor.5:15] 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.
1Thessalonians chapter 4 and beginning with verse 13 we learn “where are the dead.” They are not in a hole in the ground, but are risen also. Spiritually speaking.
2Cor.5:16] 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.
Renewed in Jesus upon repentance.
2Cor.5:18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Upon repentance, all sins are forgiven. And only then, can we stand before the LORD.
2Cor.5:19] 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.
Emmanuel “God with us”, his plan from the beginning included Salvation.
2Cor.5:20] 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.
We are to be disciples of Christ. That’s students of his word. And we are to plant seeds, and spread the word of God. We are also to bring those that we can reach to salvation which is Jesus Christ. Let’s go to Matthew 9:36-38 and read.
Mat.9:36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Have you ever felt this way, I mean without a shepherd?
Mat.9:37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
[38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Are you ready to take up this responsibility? Then keep on studying, there will come a day when Jesus asks “whom will I send”. Isaiah 6:6-8 reads.
Isa.6:6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
This is the Word of God.
Isa.6:7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Your sins have been forgiven. Because you absorbed the Word of God. Jesus is the Living Word.
Isa.6:8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
This is why we study the Word of God, so that he might be able to use us in the flesh to gather his children unto him. Are you ready to serve him? Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible