Paul says that if our earthly tent is destroyed, we have a building from God. We live by faith, aim to please him, and appear before Christ's judgment seat. Anyone in Christ is a new creation, reconciled to God.
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved , we have a building of God , an house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens .
2 For in this we groan , earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven :
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked .
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan , being burdened : not for that we would be unclothed , but clothed upon , that mortality might be swallowed up of life .
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God , who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit .
6 Therefore we are always confident , knowing that , whilst we are at home in the body , we are absent from the Lord :
7 (For we walk by faith , not by sight :)
8 We are confident , I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body , and to be present with the Lord .
9 Wherefore we labour , that , whether present or absent , we may be accepted of him .
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ ; that every one may receive the things done in his body , according to that he hath done , whether it be good or bad .
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord , we persuade men ; but we are made manifest unto God ; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences .
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you , but give you occasion to glory on our behalf , that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance , and not in heart .
13 For whether we be beside ourselves , it is to God : or whether we be sober , it is for your cause .
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us ; because we thus judge , that if one died for all , then were all dead :
15 And that he died for all , that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves , but unto him which died for them , and rose again .
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh : yea , though we have known Christ after the flesh , yet now henceforth know we him no more .
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ , he is a new creature : old things are passed away ; behold , all things are become new .
18 And all things are of God , who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ , and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation ;
19 To wit , that God was in Christ , reconciling the world unto himself , not imputing their trespasses unto them ; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation .
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ , as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead , be ye reconciled to God .
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us , who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him .