2 Corinthians 5:6-9 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:… Note — I. THE PROSPECT OF THIS GREAT TRANSITION, AND THE WILLINGNESS EXPRESSED. In this willingness there are four main elements. 1. The acknowledgment of a higher claim. The apostle has a figure of two habitations for the soul, and both presenting their rival claims. The body has a claim, and reasonably. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Through the bodily senses and perceptions the soul has its education. It gazes upon the fair universe through the windows of the eye; through the ear flows in the music of creation; and it is by the organs of speech that spirit communicates with spirit. Now, is there not here a claim? To be "unclothed," in the apostle's speech, would seem to be cut off from fellowship with the universe. Who then could be well pleased to be absent from the body? Those only who are conscious of a higher claim. Christ claims us. A thousand objects seem to stretch imploring hands to us and cry, "Thou art ours"; but Christ says, "Thou art Mine." With the claim that redemption gives us what else can compete? The body, with all the wonders of its construction, is, after all, but the servant of the soul; Christ is its Master. We, therefore, are ready to renounce the lower for the loftier claim, and willing to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2. The acceptance of a necessary condition. Why should the two claims come into competition? The ideal man of God's purpose and first creation may be well conceived as equally at home in both worlds. As it is, the two things are incompatible. Whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from Him, and to be at home with Jesus we must die. Now it cannot be said that this is m itself desirable. The best, the bravest of us must falter when we think of going to an untried eternity. But we know that it must be so. We therefore accept the decree with submission, nay, with love, for we "reckon the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." 3. The longing for a promised deliverance. The body is not merely a veil which we are willing should be drawn aside that we may behold the Saviour's glory; it is often a source of the deepest trial and sadness. "The flesh lusteth against the spirit," etc. What wonder, then, that he thought it good rather to be "absent from the body," which he found so painful and insecure a home, and to be "at home with the Lord" at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore! 4. The embodiment of the highest aspiration. The Saviour left the world with "Lo, I am with you alway." To apprehend His presence is the one great aim of the souls that love Him, and He is ever near. This also is the life of heaven. All else in that life is mystery. II. THE INFLUENCE WHICH THIS ANTICIPATION EXERCISES. 1. We are "of good courage"; this begins the text, strikes its keynote. The true tone of the Christian character is a brave, undismayed way of looking at life with all its possibilities, and at the distant prospect or the near approach of death. There is no insensibility in this. The spirit is exquisitely alive to the solemnity both of life and of death, yet courageous, cheerful, knowing that already "death is swallowed up in victory." 2. But with this "courage" the apostle combines faithfulness. "Wherefore we make it our aim" our ambition is, "whether present or absent, to be well pleasing unto Him." The triumphant confidence becomes, whether here or there, the inspiration of faithful work. Acceptance of that work remains the crowning hope and joy of life. (S. G. Green, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: |
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