Paul wrote in II Corinthians:
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked. These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. II Cor 5:1-4, CEV
In this quote, Paul likens what we call mortal existence to dwelling in a tent. He wrote, “Our bodies are like tents…” Meaning, the mortal body is like a tent.
A dweller in a tent is not the tent, nor a part of the tent. His identity and individuality exist apart from the tent. He can walk out of the tent at will.
Mortal belief argues that we “are the tent,” that we are a mortal body, stuck in the flesh and governed by physical law.
Jesus Christ proved that life and identity are not “stuck in the tent,”—are not in the mortal body—when he survived the crucifixion. The Pharisees tried to kill Jesus by attacking the mortal body,--“the tent.” But they failed because Jesus did not live in the tent of mortal belief. Jesus lived in the Spirit of God, and thus was out of the reach of his enemies.
We have his example to follow. We do not have to live “in the tent” either. We can correctly identify ourselves as image of God, without flesh, and remain out of the reach of mortal enemies.
Christian Science explains what Jesus understood. We are not mortal bodies. We do not live “in the tent.” We live in the Spirit of God, and depend upon Spirit to sustain us, maintain us and give us health, strength and life, right here on earth.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science wrote,
Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements. The Scriptures inform us that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Matter is not that likeness. The likeness of Spirit cannot be so unlike Spirit. Man is spiritual and perfect; and because he is spiritual and perfect, he must be so understood in Christian Science. Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique.
The “tent,” or physique, does not sustain us. The “tent” is not our home, our dwelling place, or our source of health and life. God makes us who we are, and spiritually so, not a material form.
So, when I get up in the morning and prepare to dress, I ask myself, “What am I going to wear today? Am I going to dress in the tent of mortal belief—of flesh and bones—and carry the extra weight and false identity around? Or am I going to dress in the garments of Spirit that radiate love, joy and peace, and be a free child of God?”
What’s your choice?
7 comments:
this is a very cool insight, evan. thank you!
Thanks for reminding us we have this choice, Evan. I think I'll choose the "garments of Spirit." The "tent" - or at least our obsession with it - gives us nothing but trouble!
you know, I've read that verse many times and never caught on to that because the language got in the way. What does CEV stand for?
Awesome. I appreciate this insight very much. The idea of "tent" really helps seperate the concept of our body and who we really are.
CEV stands for Contemporary English Version
Just what I need...... just when I need it! Thanks
I have to echo stillmeadowlark's comment! I've been working at learning this over the last couple weeks but had not equated it with tent. I tended to think of the mortal body more as sawdust.
Post a Comment