The Daily Word of Righteousness

One in Christ in God, #26

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (I Corinthians 15:54)

But being clothed with the body of life—this is something else again! This is no sorrowful leaving of loved ones on the earth so we can go to Paradise. Rather, the clothing of life is the triumphant overcoming of the last enemy. Here is victory! Here is joy! Here is reunion!

On that Day there will be no breaking hearts (among those who have served the Lord faithfully), no tears of anguish then. This is the Year of Jubilee when the slaves go free and everyone returns to his inheritance in the Lord. May God hasten the day when the sons of God are revealed.

The Spirit of Christ in Isaiah portrays the wonderful joy and glory of the saint at the moment of being clothed with eternal life.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

We already have the first installment (earnest; pledge) of the Holy Spirit. But if we serve Christ faithfully until He returns, or until we go home to be with the Lord, whichever comes first, then we can look forward to the Day when our mortal body is made alive by His Spirit who dwells in us (Romans 8:11). The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead will set our body free by His eternal power and glory.

If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (II Corinthians 5:3)

It appears from the Scriptures that some Christians will be saved apart from any reward. They will be saved in the Day of the Lord but will be found naked as far as any spiritual accomplishment is concerned.

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (I Corinthians 3:15)

People will be saved who have not laid up for themselves an eternal weight of glory. They will not be destroyed in the day of God's wrath, but they will be found "naked."

Paul emphasizes the desire of the saint for immortality:

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed up, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (II Corinthians 5:4)

We who are in the body of flesh do groan because we are burdened. But we are not groaning "that we would be unclothed" (leave the body and go to Heaven). Rather, we are groaning that we might be clothed with resurrection life. We are groaning that "mortality might be swallowed up of life."`

Paul asks, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24).

God's answer to Paul is, "The Lord Jesus is coming with a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The Holy Spirit who now dwells in you will make alive your mortal body and you will be free from sin and death just as your Lord Jesus Christ is free from sin and death."

To be continued.