EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Life with Christ will be
'more better by much'
___
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10
___By Mark Bumpus
___First Baptist Church, Mineral Wells
___What will life with Christ be like? Paul, in using what is great Greek but not good English, literally says it will be "more better by much" (Philippians 1:23). Not just better; not just more better; but more better by much! This gives assurance to every Christian facing death.
___ Inward renewal, outward decay (2 Corinthians 4:16). This is the present experience of every aging Christian. The steady and irreversible process of mental and muscular decline in the "outer man" is in place. Yet the privilege of growing older is 
inward renewal "day by day" (v.16). Daily renewal is provided by the indwelling Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5). The non-Christian knows no inward spiritual renewal and faces ultimately the grim reality of judgment and the decay of everything.
___ Eternal glory, earthly affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Paul's earthly afflictions were real. Physical decline in Paul was probably observable due to the extreme severity of his sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Yet, these afflictions were "momentary" and "light" (v.17) when compared with the "eternal weight of glory" (v.17) that was constantly advancing in intensity and to be gained in the "prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). The Christian does not lose heart (v.16) when such a prospect awaits him.
___ Eternal home, earthly tent (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). Paul contrasts the earthly, physical body of the believer with the heavenly, eternal body of the resurrected believer (v.1). The former is inferior and temporary like a tent ready to be struck down. The latter is superior and eternal. Paul longs for the future, not out of discontent, but in anticipation of the abandonment of present affliction and life eternal.
___ Ready--regardless (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Paul was ready to live and continue serving Christ in this life (Philippians 1:24). He was ready to die and be with Christ because it was preferable (5:8). Verse 8 contains assurance sufficient for any grieving Christian concerning the death of a Christian loved one. It contains assurance sufficient for any Christian facing death himself because, "to be absent from the body (is) to be present with the Lord" (5:8). It is adequate to give us assurance about the intermediate state. Coupled with Luke 16:19-31, we know that the deceased Christian is alive, conscious (not soul-sleep), comforted and his or her blessedness is eternal ("fixed") whereas the deceased non-Christian is in conscious, eternal torment.
___ Consuming ambition (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Out of love, Paul's consuming ambition was to please the Lord (v.9). Out of accountability, his incentive was to live a life of complete integrity. Paul speaks of the judgment of Christians here (v.10). It is not punishment for sin (Romans 8:1). The redeemed alone stand here. It shall be an assessment of faithfulness and assignment of rewards and loss of rewards (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) based on "deeds in the body" (v.10). This is not justification by works. It is an open, full and true revelation of one's Christian character void of all concealment (1 Samuel 16:7).
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!