i. to show us that our citizenship as Christians is in heaven, not on earth,
ii. to identify how we should live as Christians in view of the transitional nature of the Christian race and
ii. to discover the implications and dangers of being earthly in our lifestyle as Christians.
Apostle Paul exposed us into the fact that the Christian race here on earth is not an end in itself, but a means to an end (2Cor 5:1-4). The end is heavenly, not earthly. It is eternal, not temporal or transitional. The end is not interim or intermidiate. It is permanent. What implications do this hold for the church? Our guides for study will illuminate us more.
1. What is your concept on earthly tent and heavenly building in the context of 2Cor 5:1?
2. How should a Christian conduct his or her life in view of the transitional nature of our earthly race? 2Cor. 5:9-10; 2Pet 3:13-14.
3. What are the implications and dangers of living or portraying the Christian life as though the earth is the final 'bus stop?' 1Cor. 15:19; Gal. 6:8.
4. How can we conduct our Christian lives on earth as heavenly citizens without staining our garments? 1Thes. 5:22; Heb. 12:1-2, 14-17.
Becoming a Christian is just the beginning of a challenging journey for eternal life where grappling with the tension between living on earth as humans and staying focused as heaven-bound pilgrims is an ever present reality to safety brace the tape of eternal life in God's kingdom.
Though in human nature, be heavenly conscious and focused.
Phil 3:20 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ".