Motive in living is to please God
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
When one gets displaced and had to move to a temporary shelter, there is a feeling of uneasiness. Unless they are told they are cleared to go back to their home, there will be discontentment. From the text, the Apostle Paul was describing the new home God prepared for those that trusted Him as Lord and Savior. The body you have here on earth, as Paul described it, is just like a tent. It was not designed to last for eternity. God will provide a permanent dwelling place, “an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” Through the Holy Spirit within the life of every believer, God provided an experience in the present so that one will be assured of what will happen in the future. “God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit” (v. 5). The very refreshing and renewing that you daily experience from the Spirit as you wield your life to Him is that guarantee. There is something happening within the life of a believer. The old life is deteriorating, the outward man is falling apart, but the inner man is changing. It is getting stronger, more loving and anticipating the future with increased expectation. Paul was describing about this change when he said, “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18). God expects that change will take place. The change the Holy Spirit is doing as you yield your life to Him is happening so you could please God. You should not take for granted the idea that one day you will give an account of your life to Christ. “So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). This is why so many times the Bible admonishes Christians to not ignore the Spirit’s quiet voice while here on earth because He will guide them on how they should live lives pleasing to God. God will not force His will upon you but God wants you to be accountable on the actions you took especially those that were against His will. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). Having a sense of accountability for the life God gave you is healthy. It gives you a powerful motivation to please God.
Blessings,
