Last week’s post described what kind of resurrection body we will have when the resurrection happens. This post answers the question of how. How will God’s people in Christ Jesus be given a physical but glorified body? Answer: By the grace and power of God. See 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
In this Scripture we are taught first that, resurrection, like the forgiveness of sins is of God’s free gift. We can see this grace from the time when God clothed Adam and Eve with coats of skin, and when God kept them from the tree of life by a flaming sword. God did not want them to live forever in their sinful flesh, but he would cloth them with his grace through the sacrifice of Son. This included a new body. For this reason none of God’s people cremated themselves, like the pagans did. Their bodies were always buried in faith. They believed creation would one day be renewed. The grace of resurrection is full pinnacle of this promise! Notice grace in this passage. (v.38a, 45b, 47b, 49b).
Secondly Scriptures teaches that this resurrection happens by the power of God! (v.51-57) Presently we are made of corruptible decaying material; but one day by God’s power who through the victory of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, will transform us into non-corruptible, un-decaying material and we become people who will never again feel the sting of death.
Jesus Christ overcame death’s power and sting because he grappled with the power of sin, which God’s law exposed time and time again. That is, Jesus fulfilled all the law even the law that says, “The soul that sins, shall die.” However, because he was God, this law could not condemn him. He took the law’s condemnation away from us by taking our sins on him, and the death we deserved, and defeated them at the cross and resurrection. By the power of God’s gospel comes the resurrection of our bodies.
Very few think long and hard about life after death. But the church should call people to do so. All the dead will rise, but not all will rise to a life worthy to be called life. Sinners outside Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the lake of fire with a body that will never die. But God is his great love has given sinners the gift of Christ to save us from the wrath of God. (1 Thess 5:9-10). Today is the day of salvation.
The Spirit concludes his teaching here with v.58. Because Jesus did rise from the dead, all who are in him, risen with him in union with him by faith have their sins are forgiven and will received a glorified body like his. Therefore, Christians can serve the Lord with steadfastness, immovability, and abundance.
Here I quote John Piper. He preached this many years ago. “‘Steadfast’ means steady as you move forward. Keep on going and don’t let up. Don’t be given to fits and starts. Put your hand on the plough and don’t take it off till your work is done. Steady movement forward till your work is done.
‘Immovable’ means don’t get knocked over by sudden blows. Keep your balance. Stand strong and unshaken when the rains come down and the floods come up and the winds blow and beat against your house. Be like a boulder that can’t get washed away. Be like a tree that can’t get blown down.
‘Abounding in the work of the Lord’ means do lots of it. ‘Abound in’ means ‘overflow with.’ Fill your days with things that count for Christ. Pray and dream and plan and then work, work, work while it is day.”
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