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:… I. IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY CHRISTIAN TO HAVE AN ARDENT YET SUBMISSIVE DESIRE TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY, THAT HE MAY BE WITH CHRIST. This may be argued — 1. From the principles of our nature. Is it not contrary to every principle of our nature to be pleased with misery, to fail to desire happiness? And yet this must be the strange disposition of every believer who does not wish "to be absent from the body, that he may be present with the Lord." Is this a condition in which a reasonable man should be satisfied to remain, when the joys of the New Jerusalem are proffered to him? 2. Consider the spirit and the principles of our religion. (1) True religion gives to the soul a holy and a heavenly temper; but can such a temper be inwrought in that soul which contentedly settles down on earth? (2) A holy love of God and the Redeemer lies at the very foundation of true religion. But what kind of love, I pray you, is that which is satisfied to be absent from the Lord rather than be absent from the body? (3) A love to the children of God, and a delight in their society, are essential to the Christian character. But can the soul of that man be warmed with this love, who sees the pious, one by one, departing from earth, and yet desires not to go with them to join the holy host of the redeemed? (4) Hope is one of the Christian graces; but hope includes desire. What a contradiction, then, to say that we hope for the presence of the Lord when we had rather that He would delay His coming! (5) There is no religion in that heart which does not long after greater degrees of holiness, and continual increase in grace. But this is the character of him who prefers a sinful world to a holy heaven. 3. The representations of the Scriptures confirm this same truth. They uniformly represent those who "mind earthly things," "who look at the things which are seen and temporal," without any right to hope for eternal blessedness. 4. The examples of saints teach us to cultivate this disposition which we are recommending. Look at David: "My heart is glad, my glory rejoiceth, my flesh also shall rest in hope; for Thou wilt show me the path of life." Listen to Paul: "I desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." View the delight of Peter: "I must shortly put off this tabernacle," etc. Hear the joyful response of John, when the Saviour tells him: "I come quickly." "Even so, Amen; come, Lord Jesus." II. OBJECTIONS TO THIS DOCTRINE, AND EXCUSES TO PALLIATE THE NEGLECT OF THIS DUTY. 1. Do you say, "I am unwilling to die, because I am not assured of the love of God towards me"? This is not an objection against our doctrine, for the Christian desires death as connected with the presence of the Lord; we have not been endeavouring to persuade you to be willing to die, but to induce you to shake off that worldly spirit which makes you prefer earth before the enjoyment of Christ. But let me ask you that present this plea, why do you not tremble when you make it? What! you yourselves acknowledge that it is a matter of uncertainty whether, when you die you enter into the presence of an angry Judge or tender Redeemer, and yet can be tranquil! Where is your reason, your prudence? 2. Do you object again, "I am not willing to depart, because I wish yet to remain some time longer in the earth, to serve and glorify God"? But do you suppose that you cease to serve and glorify God, when you depart from earth? Think you that Abraham, David, Paul, etc., when they left this little speck of earth to enter the more extensive regions beyond the skies, lost either inclination or opportunity of serving God; think you that their service is fainter, or less important, or less constant than that which you pay? 3. Do you say, "I am not willing because I have friends, relatives, children, to whom I may be of advantage"? But is not God the supreme object of our pursuit? And is it right for us to put the dearest earthly connections in competition with Him? (Matthew 10:37.) 4. Do you object that "such a desire is unnatural"? But we are compounded beings; and an inclination is not, therefore, unnatural, because, while it accords with the tendencies of our superior part, it is opposed to those of our inferior part. Sensitive nature shrinks from death; but rational nature, especially when the soul is renewed, longs for that period when it shall be delivered from corruption. And by what law of nature is it that the superior part is bound thus to submit to the inferior part? Conclusion: If such be the Christian temper, how few real followers of the Saviour are to be found in our assemblies! Where are the men who are disentangled from earth, longing for the presence and enjoyment of the Lord? (H. Kollock, 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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