The Daily Word of Righteousness

We Shall Be Changed!

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (I Corinthians 15:52)

First Corinthians, Chapter 15 is the "resurrection chapter" of the Scriptures.

The resurrection from the dead is one of the great pillars of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from the resurrection of the dead our preaching is in vain and our faith unfounded.

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (I Corinthians 15:13,14)

But Christ has been raised from the dead and has led the way for the saints. We too shall not perish but through Christ shall receive eternal life in our bodies.

Let us look carefully at the resurrection for we must be preparing for the resurrection today. Whether or not we will attain the first resurrection, the resurrection of God's kings and priests, depends on our conduct today (Philippians 3:11; Revelation 20:4-6).

Perhaps the main point that should be emphasized concerning the resurrection from the dead in general, and First Corinthians, Chapter 15 in particular, is that the resurrection from the dead has to do with our body.

Man is different from every other creature of God. Man is spirit, soul, and body. No other creature of God that we know of is spirit, soul, and body. Christ has a Spirit, a Soul, and a body. We are being created in the image of Jesus the Messiah.

Divine redemption includes our spirit, our soul, and our body. Our spirit is redeemed by Christ. Our soul is redeemed by Christ. Our body will be redeemed by Christ at His coming provided we have sown to the Spirit of God, putting to death through the Spirit the deeds of our body (Romans 8:13). The Divine salvation extends to the body as well as to the spirit and soul.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Thessalonians 5:23)

To be redeemed means to be rescued from the darkness and death of Satan and to be filled with the light and life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our spirit must be redeemed. Our soul must be redeemed. Our body must be redeemed. Man has not been completely redeemed until his entire personality—spirit, soul and body—has been brought out from the power of death into the light and life of Christ.

When is our spirit redeemed?

Our spirit is delivered from death and brought into the glorious life and light of Christ the moment we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:5,6)

To be continued.