2 Corinthians 5 reminds me of a halfway house. I have a friend that spent time in prison as a young man. His life was radically changed through that experience. He told me about the halfway house experience after leaving prison. Very few people want to hire an ex-con, even if he is fully reformed. To be honest, that is because the prison system alone cannot rehabilitate. Today’s lesson is about life beyond the halfway house. Paul begins with a look at temporary housing. He describes our body as an “earthly tent”. He describes “an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands”. Paul says that is our home, but “while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened”. The shocking truth is that long-term prisoners often develop a familiarity within the system. For the lifer, the outside world is strange. Paul says that God understands our tendencies, and has “given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come”. A prisoner without hope has no reason to change. Hope allows us to prepare for what is to come, “we live by faith, not by sight”. Some ridicule faith, electing to rule the asylum. Success and meaning are corrupted as gangs fight for power. Destruction in the quest for control becomes normal. Paul presents the view of a visitor, “as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord”. Each of us needs a reminder that there is a better life awaiting outside.
Paul describes eternity for those who have been set free. God cares about our core being, our eternal spirit. When the body dies, we face our Creator, “to be away from the body and at home with the Lord”. In the blink of an eye we are face to face, that is, there is no halfway house. He continues, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”. Contrary to the common misunderstanding, this is a seat of honor reserved for those that have been pardoned through faith in Christ. This seat is not for the unrepentant. Paul explains that our motivation is what is being judged. We are literally rewarded for our attitude, “so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body”. You could say we are rewarded for good behavior, though our own good works cannot set us free.
The chapter closes with responsibility of those set free to bring light to those still in darkness. Paul refers to the reality of being scared straight. “We know what it is to fear the Lord”. The guilty should fear God’s perfect justice. Paul gives us the key to unlock our understanding, “we are convinced that One died for all”. The penalty for sin is death, but the sinless Savior paid that price on the cross. Grasping that truth will fundamentally change your view of the true cost of forgiveness. Those caught up in the con-game ignore any other authority. Paul describes the process of being set free. “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them”. Living outside means learning new patterns of behavior, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Anyone that has ever had to start over has compassion on those beginning that journey. Paul says, “God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”. Those without merit are elevated to symbols of hope. While we still live in the world, we know our home is in heaven. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors”. Paul closes with a reminder that our forgiveness was purchased at a price. We were pardoned because our sentence was served. The full penalty was paid; therefore, we are set free. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”. My friend, is it time to leave the halfway house? I know a guy that is willing to give you a second chance. Do you have enough faith to step out?