Our Eternal Dwelling
(Romans 8:18–27)

1For we know that if our earthly house, which is but as a tent, were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2And therefore whilst we are in this tabernacle we groan, being very desirous to be covered with our house which is from heaven: since though unclothed of this body, 3yet we shall not be found naked. 4For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burthened; wherefore we desire, not to be wholly unclothed, but to put on immortality, that the mortal part may be swallowed up in life. 5Now He, that hath wrought us hereunto, is God; who hath also given us the earnest of the Spirit.

6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we dwell in the body, we are absent from the Lord, 7(for we walk by faith, not by sight,) we are confident, I say, 8and well-pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to dwell with the Lord. 9Wherefore we are also ambitious, whether dwelling in the body, or out of it, to be well-pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, that every one may receive for the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it were good or bad.

Ambassadors for Christ

11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men: but if not, we are manifest unto God, and I hope we are also manifested to your consciences: 12for we are not again recommending ourselves to you, but giving you an occasion of glorying on our account; that ye may have somewhat to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13For whether we be in extasies, it is to God: or if we be composed, it is for your benefit. 14For the love of Christ constraineth us, being fully persuaded of this, that if One died for all, then were all dead. 15And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again.

16Wherefore we henceforth know no one according to the flesh: and if we have known even Christ after the flesh, yet now we thus know Him no more. 17And therefore if any one be in Christ, he is created anew: old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. 18But all these things are from God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and made us ministers of the reconciliation; 19to declare, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing to them their trespasses, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20We are therefore ambassadors for Christ, and as God exhorteth you by us, we intreat you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For He hath made Him, who knew no sin, to be a sin-offering for us, that in Him we might be made righteous before God.