Our Eternal Dwelling
(Romans 8:18–27)
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Job 19:25-261Jn 3:22Pe 1:13-142Co 4:7Heb 9:241Co 15:46-48Jhn 14:2-3Heb 11:10 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, Rom 8:231Co 15:53-542Co 5:3-4Php 1:23Rom 7:241Pe 1:6-7 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. Gen 3:7-11Rev 16:15Rev 3:18Exo 32:25 So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life. 1Co 15:53-542Co 5:2Isa 25:82Pe 1:13 And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come. 2Co 1:22Eph 1:13-14Rom 8:23Eph 4:301Jn 3:242Co 4:17Eph 2:10Isa 29:23
Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 2Co 5:1Php 3:20-21Heb 13:14Psa 39:121Ch 29:152Co 5:8Heb 10:35Heb 11:13 For we walk by faith, not by sight. Heb 11:1-272Co 4:18Rom 8:24-251Pe 1:8Heb 10:38Gal 2:201Pe 5:91Co 13:12 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Php 1:20-242Co 5:6Jhn 14:31Jn 3:22Co 12:2-32Co 5:92Ti 4:7-8Psa 16:11 So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. Col 1:102Pe 3:14Rom 14:181Th 4:111Ti 4:10Gen 4:71Co 15:581Co 9:26-27 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. Mat 16:27Rev 22:12Ecc 12:14Eph 6:8Psa 62:12Rom 2:5-101Co 4:5Psa 98:9
Ambassadors for Christ
Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. Jud 1:23Heb 10:312Ti 2:24-262Co 4:1-2Luk 12:5Rev 20:151Th 2:3-122Co 6:1 We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart. 2Co 3:12Co 1:14Gal 6:12-142Co 10:182Co 11:12-162Co 10:122Co 10:82Co 12:1-9
If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 2Co 11:16-172Co 12:62Co 11:1Rom 12:31Co 4:10-13Act 26:24-252Co 12:112Sa 6:21-22 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. Gal 2:20Rom 14:7-9Mat 10:37-381Pe 1:8Mat 20:28Rom 5:15Eph 3:18-19Jhn 14:21-23 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. Rom 14:7-91Pe 4:2-41Pe 1:14-15Col 3:1Col 3:17Gal 2:19-201Jn 4:9Tit 2:14
So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Col 3:11Php 3:7-8Jhn 6:63Jas 2:1-4Jas 3:17Gal 5:6Jhn 15:141Ti 5:21-22 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 1 The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! Ezk 36:26Eph 4:22-24Isa 43:18-19Jhn 3:3Psa 51:10Ezk 11:19Col 3:1-10Rom 8:1
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: Col 1:20-21Rom 5:10-112Co 5:19-20Eph 2:16-171Jn 4:10Rom 5:1Rom 11:361Jn 2:2 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Isa 43:25Isa 44:221Jn 2:1-21Jn 4:101Ti 3:16Psa 32:1-2Rom 4:6-8Col 2:9
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. Eph 6:20Luk 14:23Mal 2:7Ezk 18:31-32Isa 55:6-7Jhn 20:21Luk 10:162Co 5:11 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin 2on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 1Pe 2:22-241Pe 3:18Rom 5:19Gal 3:131Co 1:301Jn 3:5Php 3:9Isa 53:4-6