Our Eternal Dwelling
(Romans 8:18–27)

1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle may be taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, longing to be invested with our house which is from heaven: 3if indeed having been invested, we shall not be found unclothed. 4For indeed being in this tabernacle we groan, being burdened; not that we wish to be divested, but invested, that mortality may be swallowed up of life. 5But the one having wrought us out unto this same thing is God, the one having given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6Therefore we are always confident even knowing that, being present in the body, we are absent from the Lord; 7(for we walk by faith, not by sight); 8but we are confident and delighted rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. 9Therefore we are truly ambitious, whether being present or absent, to be well pleasing unto him. 10For it behooves us all to appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, in order that each one may receive according to those things which he has done through the body, whether good or evil.

Ambassadors for Christ

11Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we have been made manifest unto God; and I hope that we have indeed been made manifest in your consciences. 12We are not commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion of boasting in our behalf, in order that you may have response to those who glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we have our right minds, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ constrains us; having judged this, that one died for all; then were all dead; 15and he died for all, in order that those living may not live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and is risen.

16So that we from now know no man after the flesh: if indeed we have known Christ after the flesh, but we now know him no more. 17So if any one is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, they have become new. 18All things are from God, the one having reconciled us unto himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19as that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their transgressions to them, even having placed in us the word of reconciliation.

20Therefore we are embassadors in behalf of Christ, as God is intreating you through us; we pray you in behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21He made him sin in our behalf, who knew no sin; in order that we may become the righteousness of God in him.