Wanting Eternity for the Right Reason

“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.” (2Co 5:4 AV)

Paul states the genuine desire of those who love the LORD and desire eternity.  The phrase “not for that we would be unclothed” means not so that we may be free from our temporal existence.  That is how the despondent lost world reacts to life.  They do not seek death because they have a far greater existence awaiting.  Rather, they seek death because they believe it will be an end to their miserable present. Paul, on the other hand, is sharing that those who know Christ look forward to physical death because in physical death, we are clothed in eternal life.  In other words, we look forward to eternity because there is something far better.  We do not look to eternity to be rid of something far worse.  I know.  It sounds like a distinction without a difference.  But it is not.  Paul understood the balance between serving God in the flesh and wanting to be eternally in His presence.  I think this is another example of this balance.

The difference is like a child who has a load of homework that he desperately wants to be done with.  He sits down.  He reads.  He writes notes.  He studies for tests.  He completes his worksheets.  He takes practice tests.  Why?  Perhaps he has friends outside who are waiting on him.  Perhaps there is a favorite TV program coming on.  Maybe because as soon as he is done with his homework, he can think of something else.  There might be another reason.  Perhaps he works really hard at his homework because he knows that the next day, his teacher will apply what he learned the night before.  Perhaps he sees the value in the present trouble.  Maybe he sees a higher grade.  Maybe he sees career opportunities based on how hard he works.  Maybe he sees recognition from his peers when graduation rolls around.  Maybe he sees different options with colleges or careers.  The first boy simply wants the homework to end because he doesn’t like doing it.  The second wants to finish his homework because he knows it has a purpose and reward at the end.  Both will be done with their homework.  The first will resent the work, while the second will welcome the work.

That is exactly how life is.  The LORD gave us one life.  By accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and LORD, there awaits a far better eternity.  We can either look toward eternity as an escape from a life we resent.  Or, we could look forward to eternity because it is the culmination of a fight well fought.  We can either look at eternity as an escape.  Or, we can look at it as a reward.  How we look at it will determine our attitude in the present.  Paul was well balanced.  He knew the moment God called him home, he was done with earthly ministry.  He knew the moment the trumpet blew his call, there would be no more soul-winning or church planting.  When the call to come home came, there would be no more scripture to write, no more churches to encourage, and no more missionary trips to make.  Did Paul want glory?  Obviously.  But he wanted it for the right reason.  He did not seek death because it would put an end to his struggles, persecutions, or infirmities.  We wanted eternity because Jesus is there.  He wanted eternity so that there could be no more barrios to sinless communion with God!  Glory!