Living in a tent is not fun

The most important weekend in the Christian calendar prompted me to share something that's been on my heart and mind. To clarify what this weekend is about - for all who got caught up in chocolate eating and bunny loving - Christ was crucified according to the Scripture's prophecies, dying the death of a criminal as an innocent man, thereby satisfying a just God's wrath as the final and spotless Lamb, not only atoning for sin but paying for it completely, once and for all. As believers, who have recognised our need for a Saviour, our debt of sin is pardoned as Christ acts as our substitute, the One who bailed us out of our hopeless and miserable condition. Yes, dying twice is hopeless and miserable, the second death being a spiritual and eternal death, i.e. the lake of fire. (Rev 21:8). His righteousness is then imputed to us, so that we can stand blameless before a holy God. And then, most importantly, He has risen again on the third day, proving that He is the Son of God and that the Scriptures are true, as it foretold His coming, crucifixion and resurrection (Psalm 16:10, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, etc).

Now consider this:

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Cor 15:17-19)

How often do I hear people, even pastors, emphasising their hope in this life, ignoring and forgetting their eternal Hope, which is so much more significant. If Christ's death and resurrection means nothing more to you than 'freedom to live your life to the fullest', 'hope of a bright future', 'a life of abundance', 'confidence and boldness', 'favour', 'expecting greater things', 'being set free from bad habits', etc, you, of all people are most to be pitied, according to Paul. Sadly the notion is to get so comfortable in this life that we have no longing (or fear, depending on your position in Christ) anymore for the promised life (or death) to come. If this is you, trying to live your best life now, please notice the red lights flashing. 

As Christians we are not to make this world our home. Paul, in 2 Cor 5, likens this life to a tent dwelling, and heaven to a permanent building, which is our real home. 'For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling...'(v2) and 'For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life' (v4). Now I don't know about you, but as much as camping can be fun, after about 2 days I long for my permanent home, with a soft bed and a warm shower and an on-suite toilet. To pretend that permanent tent-living is fun is just silly. This life is not perfect. Its full of disappointment, pain, corruption, death and evil. If you haven't noticed, the fact that Christ died and was resurrected has not taken those things away. Not even for the Christian. Not yet. But it will, one day, when He comes back to establish His Kingdom. (Rev 21:3-5)

Lets also look at Romans 8:18-25 :
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

If, as a Christian, you are not longing and crying out to God (like a women giving birth in ancient times, i.e. without painkillers) for the imperfect to be replaced with the perfect, you might not understand the gospel at all. Yes, we can experience freedom from the guilt of sin and peace in our hearts in this life, but our real freedom is freedom from the second death, victory from pain and sin. This is what Paul was talking about when he said:

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:51-56)

If you don't value the permanent over the temporal, your faith will fail when you get tested in times of persecution and trials. If you serve Him and love Him because of the benefits in this life, you will probably have to settle for your best life now anyway, because you have no eternal Hope. If your understanding of the gospel is confined to this life, you are believing a false gospel. 

God's grace constantly reminds us of the temporary nature of this life. We age, we die. We will one day have to leave these tents and all other earthly things behind. All of us. But knowing that Jesus was raised from the dead gives us a promise and a hope. Christ became the "first fruits" (first crop from the harvest) of all who will be raised. That points to the fact that the resurrection of Christ guarantees the resurrection of believers. We can indeed and unashamedly look forward to and long for the day when our bodies which are perishable, dishonored, weak and natural will one day be raised to bodies that are imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual (1 Cor 15:42-44).  And that, my friends, is the hope of the gospel and enough to not be knocked over by any unfavourable circumstances.

May your Passover Weekend be filled with the joy of that Hope.