There is a Spiritual Body
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body 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 Truth of the Resurrection
Recently I have been holding Bible Studies where we are asking the question, “Why do we believe what we believe?” I think it is a good question for all of us to ask. Of course in order to deal with the why, we need to deal with the what. In other words do we really know what we believe?
I believe that Christ was God made known in the flesh. I believe that He was full of grace and truth. I believe that He proved to be whom He claimed to be by the miracles that He did. I believe that “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18 NKJV).” I believe that Christ was raised from the dead and is now in heaven and that He is taking a personal interest in those who trust Him. The writer of the Hebrews says, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV).” I believe the resurrection of the Lord was the last great miracle that proves that all that the Bible says about Christ is true. I believe that someday I will see the Lord in a spiritual body that will be given to me when I am raised from the dead.
Why do I believe that? Because no other philosophy or religion gives me the promise of my own resurrection. My promise is based on the over 500 witnesses who saw the Lord after HIs crucifixion. In addition, Paul saw Him on the Damascus Road. Stephen saw Him standing in heaven just before he was martyred.
I believe that one day I will see the Lord who redeemed me by dying for me and that I will be in a “spiritual body.” I believe that for many logical reasons but mostly because I want to. I see no reason not to believe that.
My Friends
Recently, I have had a number of friends and acquaintances die. Some of them have been sick for a long time and some have died unexpectedly. None of us want to die unless life has become so unbearable that death seems to be a release from pain and sorrow. But normally we all have the will to live and that is good. But it encourages me to know that my friends who have died “in Christ”, that is they have died trusting in the Lord, are now enjoying true unhindered fellowship with the Lord. What body or lack of body they have until the resurrection of life occurs, I do not know. But I do know that when they die they depart to be “with Christ” (Philippians 1:23). I am convinced that they experience a true epiphany and that they see the Lord in His glory (2 Timothy 4:8). What a joy that must be!
The Future
If the Bible is true, and there are many reasons to believe that it is, the future for the unsaved is bleak. We have pestilences but they are going to get worse. We have natural disasters but they are going to get worse. We have liars and deceivers and authoritarian leaders trying to take control of our governments and economies. But we haven’t seen anything yet like what is coming. We have wars now but just wait til Satan is given the right to unleash His power through unscrupulous men who will come to power. At least one will be a Gentile and one will be a Jew. But unfortunately, those who will not trust Christ, will die and face eternal conscious punishment. They too will have new bodies that can endure and feel the torments of eternal fire.
But for those of us who are “saved”, “born again”, “converted”, “redeemed”, we get to look forward to a future that will be wonderful. And it will be in new bodies, spiritual bodies, that will never have aches and pains or sickness or tears or crying.
Yes I believe in the Lord because of the resurrection. I believe the Lord was raised from the dead and is alive and well in heaven. I will get to enjoy all that heaven has to offer in a spiritual body and I believe my saved friends have already entered into that joy at least in a measure.
Yes I believe that.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of September 5, 2021