There is no sin in the Kingdom of God and, as Paul states, we believers cannot inherit the Kingdom as long as we continue in the passions of the flesh.

It appears that Satan has labored diligently to obscure the principal hope of the Divine redemption—the bodily resurrection from the dead. The Apostle Paul viewed our resurrection from the dead as the primary aspect of salvation.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (I Corinthians 15:19,20)

Apparently there was disagreement concerning the resurrection in Paul's own day.

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (I Corinthians 15:12)

In our own time an unscriptural doctrine, introduced in the last century, has placed such an emphasis on the catching up of the saints to the Commander in Chief in the air that the resurrection of the body, which assuredly must precede any flight into the air, is virtually ignored. Yet, it is the bodily resurrection of the saint that signals the destruction of the last enemy. The bodily resurrection is the goal of redemption. The catching up of the believers is not a part of our redemption, merely an act of Kingdom power to gather together the army of the Lord for the Battle of Armageddon.

If we view our destiny as eternal residence in the spirit Paradise the resurrection of our body will not seem so important to us. In fact, numerous Christians believe that we will have a new body from Heaven and that our present body will not be raised. There is great confusion concerning this in our day.

If, however, we understand the goal of redemption to be our transformation into the moral image of Christ and union with God through Christ in preparation for the roles, responsibilities, and relationships that are part of the Kingdom of God, and that the Kingdom of God is to be established on the earth, and that we cannot return to earth until we have been raised from the dead, then we see our resurrection in its true light—the result of our struggle to overcome Satan.

If we live in the appetites of the flesh we will slay our own resurrection.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13)

Paul's goal was to attain the out-resurrection (Greek noun), the first resurrection—the resurrection that will take place when the Lord Jesus appears from Heaven.

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection [out-resurrection] of the dead. (Philippians 3:11)

To be continued.