Month: December 2018

1. 127. Image of God

1 Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

We are all born in the image of Adam, bearing the image of a sinner. We reflect sin, we show outwardly the sin that’s inside, and we are sin. Believing and accepting the truth of original sin and guilt is essential to wellbeing, strange as it sounds; it prevents us from the futile and frustrating attempt to improve our lives by ourselves and make behavior better. We look at the mirror of the Law, repent and believe the Gospel. This act changes us, every day. For then we believe this promise: we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. When we believe in Christ we are reborn in the image of God. We reflect the love and the glory of God, we begin to show outwardly the goodness of God that is within, and we are godly. Believing and accepting the truth of forgiveness of sin and the gift of new life is essential to wellbeing. This does not sound strange.

We were created in the image of God in the first place, and this was God’s purpose. We lost the image of God because of sin, but it is in the process of being restored through faith in Jesus Christ. The first thing that happens is that we are baptized, or we are given faith in Christ, The second thing is that the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctifying us so that we look more and more like God in actual outward behavior and inward attitude.

We actually have both images in us, and we reflect both images to the world around us. It may appear to our sight that the image of Adam predominates, but we can also believe the promise by faith that the image of the heavenly is showing through. Thankfully, the Lord does not let us see the goodness of God in us too often in order that we do not become proud and puffed up, like a Pharisee. We see the image of the earthly more clearly so that we will turn to God for mercy frequently, like a Publican. Which one goes to his house justified? The promise is true: we do also bear the image of the heavenly.

1. 126. Incorruption, Glory, Power, Spiritual Body

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

The resurrection of the dead is really the most important promise for us to believe in. In the resurrection everything will be changed around completely; it will be the Great Reversal. Before the resurrection we live in corruption, dishonor, weakness and in a natural body. That will all be changed into the opposite.

The resurrection of the dead changes corruption into incorruption; it changes dishonor into glory; it changes weakness into power; it changes a natural body into a spiritual body.  Incorruption  means there is no more death and decay, no more disease and wasting away. Glory means there is shining goodness and holiness shining out from our bodies, and our bodies will be glorified; power means we will always be able to do what we want, and we will always want the good and right. A spiritual body is at one time substantial and physical and at the same time spiritual and immaterial.We can at the same time eat food and go through walls, like the resurrected Lord did. We will even fly and be transported wherever we want.

We cannot imagine what life will be like when there is no death lurking around us and in front of us. The spiritual body will live eternally without end just as we were created to be in the beginning. The eternal purposes for our bodies will be realized. Life in the new body will be all that life was meant to be in God’s mind at the first.The resurrection of the dead fulfills all the plans of God for our bodies and souls and selves once and forever. We can only try to imagine what life will be like.

1. 125. God is all in all

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

God is all in all, and He will be all in all finally forever. This is a promise for us to take hold of because there is so much distraction around us that God can easily be set asideand even taken for granted in our lives. The promise that God will be all in all someday also means that God is really all in all, and the only thing that matters, today. It is hard to remember that God is all when we are “anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” It is hard to focus on the One Thing.

In spite of all the many things that attract our attention, our work, our time, our effort and our thoughts the promise holds: God is all. It is not that hard to refocus and re-centerour thoughts and bring our soul back to Jesus. We do so again and again through repentance and faith in the Gospel. We can cut through the fog and see the love of Jesus in the clearing. Once we return to the Lord as the only thing that is important everything else sorts into its proper place. The truth of this promise is that God is not only the most important thing, but He is the only thing.This truth is not so easy to believe, but a promise like this helps our faith put things into perspective.

All things are not now subdued unto Him, for disobedience and rebellion run rampant. It may take some years to gain perspective, but the time will come when we see that what was once all consuming wasn’t really that important after all. The guiding star of God being all in all directs our lives and thoughts in determining what choices to make and what direction to go. It is surprising to learn how easy life really is when we respond to Jesus’ invitation, “Come unto me.” Jesus is in the process of taking all things and putting them under Him, and He will finish the job. For now, we believe the promise.

1. 124. Death is Destroyed

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

All our spiritual enemies are defeated finally and forever on the Last Day. Sin and Satan are finally and forever removed from the new heaven and the new earth, and God will rule in righteousness and peace forever. After all enemies are defeated the Last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death. This makes sense, for once Death is gone forever only Life, eternal life, is left for us to enjoy. Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire and Death has no claim on us and it will not threaten us any longer. We are free from death and the fear of death.

The destruction of death is the last task to be completed before we enter into the perfectly blissful Eternal State, entering into the joy of the Lord. Once there is no more death there is really nothing to fear. Fear of anything and anxiety for any reason is at base a fear of death. When death is not even a possibility then all fear is nonexistent. Death reaches into all aspects of life, particularly physical life, for every disease, injury and even discomfort is a small form of death. Any physical problem that causes pain or limits mobility and freedom of movement is “Death” reaching into life: it shortens and diminishes the full enjoyment of life, which is a little death. For this reason Jesus healed so many people: to show each of us that He has authority over death eternally. He will not always heal us of all our diseases, but He does heal often enough to convince us that Death is under His ultimate control. While we live on earth we see some “little deaths” all the time. While that is happening we take hold of the promise: death shall be destroyed.

We define death as a separation: it is the separation of the soul from the body. Spiritual death is defined as the separation of the soul from God. Eternal death is the separation of the soul and the body from God forever. Separation from God is the issue; sin separates us from God. “The wages of sin is death.” “The day you eat of it you will surely die.” But the Lord is in the business of reconnecting us with God. By removing sin He unites us with God, and with Life. Therefore, at the End, separation will be destroyed forever, and we will be forever and indissolubly united with God and eternal life. This life we have and we enjoy now, even while we live in the midst of death. This promise gives hope for the present. Death is defeated; Life wins.

1. All Rule and Enemies Defeated

1 Corinthians 15:24b, 25… when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

The final and permanent Defeat of our Enemies is the second greatest promise (the resurrection of the body is the first). “All enemies under his feet” refers to the spiritual enemies of God and of us His children. The three main spiritual enemies constantly fighting against us are Sin, Death and the Devil. Each of these three will always be with us while we live on the earth. Sin, Death and the Devil will be permanently removed from our presence and from our eternal life. On the Judgment Day they will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever banished from our presence. This is the promise.

All the troubles and problems we experience daily in life can be attributed to these spiritual enemies. And they are relentless. We war against temptation and tribulation every day through this life, but One Day the war will be over and Jesus wins for us. We walk by faith and during this life we overcome to some extent by repentance and faith. But we look forward to the Day when the War is over and the Victory is complete. Then we rest.

Jesus Christ will absolutely put down all rule and authority and power. The Devil is the prince of the power of the air; Death reigns over all people; Sin enslaves every human being. Each enemy lies and deceives us, sometimes successfully, into believing that they still have authority over us and we must submit to their rule. But the Truth sets us free: we are free from the penalty of sin; we shall indeed die but then we will live; we overcome Satan with the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. In eternity we will be free from the presence of Sin, from the possibility of Death, and from the lies and temptations of Satan. Their rule and authority and power will be completely and absolutely broken forever.

1. Deliver the kingdom to God

1 Corinthians 15:24a Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.

This is not actually a promise; it is a prediction, a prophecy. But it is a promise for us in that we believers are a part of the kingdom; the promise is that we shall be delivered to God the Father. As soon as we believe in Jesus Christ we enter into the kingdom of God. But at the end Jesus Christ will deliver all the believers, who are in the kingdom, up to the Father. 

We are in the kingdom of God now and at the same time we seek it daily, but “at the end” the kingdom will be visible and open for all to see when it is delivered up to God. The invisible becomes visible and the entire universe will see that we belong to God. And God will be all in all.

The kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Nothing will be left out of God’s benevolent and beneficent Lordship. Forever we are the Lord’s and happily so.

We have come from the dust and we shall return to the dust. But a promise like this one also says: We have come from God and we shall return to God. God made us, redeemed us, claimed us, and made us His own. We have been in the mind and heart of God and we shall be in His kingdom rule now and ever after.

121. Resurrected Firstfruits

 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

 The firstfruits of a crop is the early appearing of some of the fruit at harvest time signifying that a full harvest is still coming. Jesus is the firstfruits of the coming “harvest” of resurrected bodies. The firstfruits is the “first resurrection;” blessed are those who have a part of the first resurrection. The first resurrection is the resurrection of the body of Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Christ have a part of His resurrection by faith. This means believers will definitely be resurrected in their bodies afterward. This promise is as sure as the firstfruits resurrection of Jesus. And Christ is risen, indeed. So we shall rise, indeed.

There has been only one resurrection in the history of the universe: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There have been thousands of “resuscitations,” but every one of them died again. Jesus is the only one to rise and never die again forever. And those in Christ shall be made alive. We shall rise, because He is risen. We shall live and not die, because He lives. We may doubt many things and wonder about many more, but one promise we have no doubt about at all is our own bodily resurrection.

The promise is not that the soul will be immortal and continue to live in heaven after we die. The immortality of the soul is not a promise of the Bible: the resurrection of the body is. Our hope is not in some ethereal existence, floating around like ghosts or angels. Our hope is in the wholeness of life, in which the spiritual and invisible is joined as one with the substantial and visible. This is much like the oneness of soul and body we live with now, though we still do not “see” the soul. The promise is that we shall be united in an oxymoronic “spiritual body.”

120. Saved by the Preached Gospel

 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

 I have received the Gospel preached unto me, I stand in that Gospel, and the Gospel saves me. The Promise: I am saved by the Gospel preached unto me. I keep it in memory and I have not believed in vain. The Gospel saves, and every time I hear the Gospel it saves again and again. I can never hear it enough; I will never be bored with it; it will never become old and tired; it is fresh and new and life giving every time it is preached.

I am saved: what a promise and a blessing. I am saved from the horrible condition I deservedly got myself into as a lost and condemned creature. I am saved from my enemies of Sin, Death, and the Devil. I am saved for life and eternal blessing. The Gospel saves. The Gospel says: God died for you; God loves you; God forgives you; God saves you. Keep in memory what you heard, what you believed, and what saved you.

Jesus saves, but it is the preached message of Jesus that brings salvation. Through the preached Gospel the Holy Spirit plants and grows the faith that receives Jesus the Savior. No word, no announcement, no declaration will ever have the power to lift your spirits or do you more good. And the good news is that we can hear that Good News as often as we need it, and we need it often. We have been given the preaching privilege and responsibility as the priesthood of all believers to speak that saving Gospel to ourselves. Stop! Speak! Listen!

119. Faith, Hope, Love Abide

 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 Faith, Hope, and Love will last longest and all these will be abide permanently. All the gifts, blessings and tokens from God to His people on the earth are wonderful, but they are temporary, designed only for this life. Technically, faith and hope will not last for eternity either, since neither will be needed in the eternal new heaven and new earth. We will have sight and substance; we will experience the reality of God in physical presence. Faith and hope actually pass away; they are no longer necessary.

Love, however, endures forever and lasts for eternity. Love will be seen and felt and experienced in all its depth and fullness. This is why charity (love) is the greatest. Almost all human beings experience love. All believers in Christ experience the love of God. But we have to pray to have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. The deep experience of the love of God will be thrilling and overwhelming and certainly indescribable. One common denominator described by those who have had near death experiences is their inability to adequately describe the love of Jesus.

We don’t need a near death experience to know the inexpressible love of God, for it is granted to faith by the Holy Spirit through the hearing of the Gospel. It is enough to make us yearn for and pine for the eternal and majestic presence of God. We know that the love of God will be experienced in all its fullness and awe, and in the presence of God’s Love nothing else will matter. We have this promise: the greatest is love. We hold on to that hope, as a real substance, until hope is no longer needed.

118. Will Know as I am Known

 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Now I see through a dark glass; then I will see face to face. That’s a promise. Now I know in part; then I will know as I am known. That’s a promise. When I see face to face I will know everything. God knows me and He knows all about me, inside and out; He knows me as completely as anything can be complete. The amazing promise is that I will know everything as completely as God knows me.

Every question I have ever had will be answered, for I will know the answers. And we have a lot of questions. In fact, we will not even have any questions at all for we will know everything there is to know. Many things about God are mysteries to me now; I can only grope in the dark and catch a dark glimpse once in a while. And the more I come to know about God the more questions I have and the deeper the mysteries grow. But I have a promise that One Day I will know all the answers and the solutions to all the mysteries of life and of the universe and of God. I will know all Truth and Justice and plumb the depths of Love.

God made us curious; God made us to ask questions; God made us even to ask “Why?” But the Lord also said that many things are left to the understanding and knowledge and wisdom of God alone; He did not say we are not to inquire about the things we don’t understand, but He did say not to expect any answers we could understand. One Day we will understand completely, because we will know. Another thing I am sure of is that we will continue to grow in knowledge and understanding forever and ever without end. We will know everything, yes, but there will always be more to know, endlessly. Curiosity will be satisfied, but, at the same time, we will be continually curious. Someone once said, “It will take all of eternity to fully understand the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ.” We know now somewhat; we will know completely then; and yet, we will continue to learn forever. All of this is a wonderful promise.