Our Eternal Dwelling (Romans 8:18–27)
1 UST Indeed, we realize that the bodies we have on this earth will die. They are like tents that people destroy. However, God will give us new bodies that will live forever. They will be like buildings that God creates in the heavenly places. BSB BSB: For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 UST In fact, we mourn how we live in these bodies. We want God to give us new bodies, just as if he was putting new clothes on us.{ These new bodies will be like} buildings{ that God gives us} from heaven. BSB BSB: For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
3 UST Whenever we receive our new bodies, they will be like clothes that keep us from being naked. BSB BSB: because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4 UST Even further, while we have these bodies that are like tents, we mourn, and these bodies make living difficult. Because of that, it is not that we want to be without bodies, which would be like having no clothes. Rather,{ we want} to receive new bodies, which will be like putting on new clothes. That way, we will live forever instead of expecting to die. BSB BSB: For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 UST God is the one who makes us ready for these new bodies. He gave the Holy Spirit to us, which shows that he will also give us everything else that he has promised. BSB BSB: And it is God who has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.
6 UST So then, we are confident at all times{ about what God will give us}. Also, we realize that while we have these bodies, we are not with the Lord{ Jesus}. BSB BSB: Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.
7 UST Indeed, we act as we do because we trust{ the Lord Jesus}, not because we see{ him}. BSB BSB: For we walk by faith, not by sight.
9 UST So then, we strive to please the Lord Jesus whether we are with him or not. BSB BSB: So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.
10 UST { We do that} because all of us will have to appear before the Messiah and he will decide whether each one of us has done what is right or what is wrong. Then, he will give us what we deserve in proportion to what we did while we had these bodies. BSB BSB: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Ambassadors for Christ 11 UST So then, because we experience what it means to fear the Lord{ Jesus}, we convince others{ to fear him also}. God knows{ that we are trustworthy}, and I want you also to know{ that we are trustworthy}. BSB BSB: Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
12 UST We are not proving to you a second time that we are trustworthy. Rather, we are enabling you to say great things about us. That way, you can respond to anybody who says great things about how people appear on the outside and not about who those people really are on the inside. BSB BSB: We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
13 UST So, when we seem crazy, we are serving God. When we seem to think normally, we are serving you. BSB BSB: If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14 UST { Those things are true} because the Messiah loves us, and that directs us{ to act in certain ways}. Here is how we think about it: one person{, the Messiah,} died to rescue all people. Because of that,{ it is as if} all people died. BSB BSB: For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
15 UST Further,{ this is why} he died to rescue all people: that way, those who live spiritually will not do whatever they want anymore. Instead,{ they will do} what the Messiah wants, since he died to rescue them and God made him alive again. BSB BSB: And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
16 UST Because of all that, we do not think about anyone in merely human ways any longer. Indeed, although at one time we thought about the Messiah in merely human ways, we do not think about him in those ways any longer. BSB BSB: So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17 UST So then, whenever God unites people to the Messiah, he makes them new people. What they used to be has disappeared. Look, what they are now is something new! BSB BSB: Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
20 UST Because{ God has commissioned us}, we represent the Messiah. So, God encourages others through us. We speak for the Messiah when we ask you{ to believe the good news so that} you can be with God. BSB BSB: Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.