Living A Life That Is Pleasing To Him As We Wait Upon Him
BRD REFLECTION 2026
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and Psalm 33:1-11 (NIV)
(Gerhardine Foo from Pastoral Team)
READ:
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In this passage, Paul talks about how as Christians we long to be in our resurrected bodies in heaven. He likens our current physical bodies to be ‘earthly tent’ (v. 1) whilst our resurrected bodies to be an ‘eternal house in heaven’ (v. 2), an apt metaphor for someone who is literally a tentmaker. In our current bodies he says we ‘groan and are burdened’, wishing to be ‘clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling’, so that we can experience true life instead of impending death (v. 4). Amidst all these struggles, God has given us the Holy Spirit as an assurance of heaven (v. 5). Hence, he says we should live life confidently with full faith in God’s promises.
Paul also reminds us that we will be judged by Christ at his return (v. 10) and extols all believers to ‘make it our goal to please him’ (v. 9).
APPLY:
As I am writing this amidst the throes of having yet another round of bronchial infection, how I wish I could cast aside this current sickly physical body and put on my future perfect resurrected body! I cannot imagine how much more those who suffer from terminal illnesses, disabilities, or are living in an adverse environment like poverty or in war-torn conditions, desire for their resurrected bodies in a peaceful heaven.
As we live in the fallen world, I am thankful that God has given us the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter (John 14:26 (KJV)) and a guarantee of heaven. I will then live my life boldly with this assurance of faith. Yet at the same time the way I live my life has to be pleasing to God in every way possible, as Jesus will call me to account for everything I do one day.
DO:
I am thankful for God’s promises of a new eternal life in heaven. And I will live my life in a way that is joyful, bold, courageous and most of all, pleasing to the Lord however difficult or tough things may be here on earth.
PRAY:
Father in Heaven, I thank You for Your promises of a new heavenly body in the time of resurrection. May the Holy Spirit be my source of comfort and assurance as I live in the now-and-not-yet. May I always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, so as to lead a life that is holy and pleasing to You. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
