Good morning! The holiday season is typically a tough time for those who have lossed loved ones or someone extremely significant in their lives – I’m not without exemption. There are many functions that I attend or plan, or major life events in which I miss the presence of my mother. While I know the promises of the Lord, there is still an aching or longing in my heart for her presence. Yet, I press forward because the presence and the promises of the Lord never fail me. Today, we will continue our reading in 1 Corinthians chapter fifteen where Paul continues his explanation of the ressurection of Christ and what that means for believers and the Corinthian church. Join me.
“40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. 41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.”[h] But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like[i] the heavenly man.” – 1 Corinthians 15:40-49 NLT
The compare and contrast in these verses speak life to any believer who struggles with what is to come after death or the loss of a love one. Paul points out what happens to the earthly body:
- Planted in the ground when we die;
- Buried in brokenness;
- Buried in weakness;
- Buried in natural bodies.
However, Paul makes clear that because of Christ Jesus our earthly bodies may remain in the grave, but our spiritual bodies will be:
- Raised to live forever;
- Raised in glory;
- Raised in strength;
- Raised as Spiritual bodies.
Sisters and brothers Christ is a life-giving Spirit. Whether we are on this side of the grave or the other side God has given us new life in Christ Jesus.
While I may miss my mom terribly, or maybe you miss someone just as painfully we can rest assured that the One who comforts us in our pain is the same One who gives life before and after the grave. Praise God that death isn’t the final chapter. Let us rejoice in knowing the final outcome, but let us also live today. God has an amazing plan for our lives, we still have a purpose, He has called us and gifted us with many talents and spiritual gifts to bring glory to His name. Don’t let death try to ring the victory bell that Christ has already won. Trust His plan.
Father God, we thank you for your plan. Father we thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Father we praise you for raising Him to life on that glorious third day. Father you are our rock and our fortress, our shield that will never be shaken. Lord, forgive us for the times when we doubted your goodness and grace. Lord, forgive us for the times when we were so shaken that our eyes lost focus on you. Lord, when the winds and waves of life begin to overwhelm us, take us by the hand, fix our eyes directly toward you and walk with us through the storm. Lord, we pray for those who are grieving, who are healing from grief and those who have random thoughts of those they love but have gone before them. Lord, comfort them/us. Lord, breathe peace and healing into their/our hearts. Fill us up with your presence and make us whole. Lord, helps us to encourage others with and without hope of the promises that are in you. May the words we speak be words of love and compassion, but filled with your truth and assurance. Lord, be with us today. Continue to transform us into the Christians and the church you have called us to be. In Jesus name, amen.
Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!
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