The fifth chapter of Second Corinthians begins with a wonderful depiction of immortality and the confident assurance that faithful Christians have of eternal salvation. The early verses focus on the longing (described as even a “groan”) that our spirits have for the “house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (5:1-4). While we cannot see it now, that does not matter. The last verse of chapter four speaks of what our faith can see—“…while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (4:18). Thus, while we live on this earth, we “prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (5:8).
Because of this longing to be in heaven with our Savior and because of the confidence that He gives us, there are three things on which we must focus as we look toward that eternal home. First, we must “make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him” (5:9). We must remember where we are now (i.e., living on this earth) and that our purpose while “present” here is to serve the Lord and please the Lord. Like Jesus, we must make it our aim to “always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Our groaning for heaven will only be realized if we spend our life now pleasing Him.
Second, we must focus on the judgment (5:10). Verse 10 explains why we must seek to be “well pleasing to Him.” “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Judgment is a “must.” Judgment is for “all.” Judgment will be personal for “each one.” Judgment will require giving an account for “the things done in the body.” Our groaning for heaven will only be realized if we are prepared for judgment.
Third, we must focus on preparing others for heaven (5:11). Our longing for heaven should not be purely selfish, seeking only to secure ourselves a home there. Paul draws a conclusion in verse 11, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord” (i.e., since we possess a reverential fear for the justice of God that will be manifest when all men stand before Him on that final day), “we persuade men.” Because we know about heaven and about judgment, we must persuade men to know and be ready themselves! Because we long to be in heaven and to please the Lord, we must persuade men to long to go there and to please Him, as well! Our groaning for heaven will only be realized if we prepare others for that day.
Our God is the one “who has prepared us for this very thing” (5:5). Are you ready for heaven? Are you ready for judgment? Are you persuading others to be ready with you?