Application of 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Paul’s text in 2 Cor 5:1-10 is a message of hope for salvation to people in the current century, and so it was in ancient times to the Corinthians. Like ancient times, the current century is full of challenges, temptations, and ignorance of the word that might make Christians lose hope for eternal life once they count on their sins and life. After reading the word, one may ask, can I have the hope which Paul describes having lived a sinful life with evil thoughts that are contrary to the life of Christ? However, Paul demonstrates that hope is independent of the life of a person, as God has made it easy for everyone. The text states that God has provided His Spirit to guarantee that there is somewhere better than the earth (2 Cor 5:5). In the text after, 2 Cor 5:17-21, the author adds that God has provided Christ Jesus who takes away sins. The Spirit which Christ left with people is a representation of Christ Jesus that Christians have their sins forgiven to guarantee the promised eternal life. Paul, therefore encourages people in the current world that regardless of the sins, there hope is not gone because it depends on Christ Jesus, who does not change, with the Spirit as a guarantee.
The text also enlightens people by teaching them the kind of life they should live to activate hope and achieve the goal of reaching the promised heaven. Hope as Paul teaches is a result of faith. He states that “…we live by faith, not by sight” to teach Christians the kind of life needed if they are to have the hope (2 Cor 5: 7). Regardless of sins, people can still have the hope by having faith first through grown. Faith comes by hearing and doing what the word says and connects with grown because practicing the word comes with the pressure of resisting what is wrong. 2Cor 7:1 states that “…having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in fear of God.” Resisting works of the fresh leads to grown because things of the world are sweet and tempting. Although not attractive to God. Therefore, the text urges Christians to resist evil and repent so that they can have faith and, therefore, hope.
Another application of the text close to having hope is how to avoid temptations of the world. Paul teaches Christians ways to live a life that serves faith and hope by focusing on God. The author in 2 Cor 5:5 states that God has prepared His people. He meant that God prepares Christians for the building in heaven. The preparation includes suffering and finally death while on earth. While the sufferings might be high, Christians should persevere and not fall on temptations of the fresh because such sufferings are a preparation to fit in heaven. The text encourages and sensitizes Christians to accept suffering and gowns. Accepting the sufferings is avoiding sins even when they appear to have a solution.
Reynolds, Edwin. “Away from the Body and at Home with the Lord”: 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10 in Context.” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 24, no. 2 (2013): 7.