GWFT 06/05/2024

This is a podcast episode of "God's Word for Today" from June 5, 2024. The epistle reading is from St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. Paul talks about having faith and speaking about it, knowing that Jesus will raise us up. He mentions that our earthly bodies are temporary, while our heavenly dwelling is eternal. Paul expresses a desire to be further clothed with our heavenly dwelling. He assures that God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee and reminder of the blessings that await us. The episode concludes with a prayer. Visit apostoliclutheran.org for more information or to find a congregation. Welcome to God's Word for Today, Today is Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and we are looking ahead to the third Sunday after Pentecost. Our epistle reading today is from St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses thirteen through chapter five, verse five, reading in the name of Jesus. We, having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore I have spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak, knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many rebound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not, but through our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we, having a building of God and house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, for in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house, which is from heaven. If so be, that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened, not that we should be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Paul uses an analogy. Our earthly bodies are like tents, temporary and subject to wear and tear. However we, having a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, the temporary of our earthly bodies reminds us of our limitations under the law, while the promise of heavenly dwelling points toward the everlasting life offered through God's grace in the gospel. Paul expresses a desire to be further clothed with our heavenly dwelling, suggesting a sense of incompleteness in our earthly existence. We live in a state of now but not yet, while forgiven through faith. We still experience the effects of sin in this life. Like Paul, we also learn to be whole, yearn for this world to be set right. God will not disappoint us. Our hope in the ultimate redemption in Christ Jesus is well placed. Paul tells us that God has given us the earnest of the Spirit. The word earnest is a banking term. Think earnest money in real estate. The Holy Spirit is God's deposit or guarantee that he will not forsake us. The Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of the blessings that await us in our heavenly dwelling. Amen. Let us pray. O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers, and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do nothing good without you, grant us, your Holy Spirit, that we may please you both in will and in deed, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, one true God, now and forever. Amen. God's word for you today is a podcast ministry of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. You can visit our website at apostoliclutheran.org for more information about our federation or to find a congregation. Please subscribe so you will receive our new content every weekday.