04/08/2017
I am lost in thought this morning regarding the gift that was given us from the cross. We all know that Jesus suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, to release us from sin and death, but there is more.
Through our faith and relationship with Jesus we will be resurrected and receive a glorified body just as He did. Are you ready to glow, as the scripture we discussed yesterday revealed that Jesus did while talking with Elijah and Moses?
“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 ESV
Something incredibly wonderful happened to Jesus in His tomb; not only was He lifted spiritually to be with God, but He was lifted physically as well. And following His resurrection Jesus appeared to the two apostles on the road to Emmaus and said...
“And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"”
Luke 24:25-26 ESV
As wonderful, (and truly the focal point of what happened on the cross) as our release from sin is, there is a second promise, and that is the return of Jesus Christ, and our own physical resurrection and glorified body. We will be like Him... and hasn't being like Him been our goal all along?
Speaking of the risen Christ, Oswald Chambers wrote these words...
"When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life, to a life He did not live before; and His resurrection means for us that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we shall have a body like unto His glorious body, but we can know now the efficacy of His resurrection and walk in newness of life." - Oswald Chambers
By following the teachings of Jesus we are striving to be like Him today, and as Chambers wrote we can "walk in a newness of life" now because of His resurrection. We may think our goal is to perfect our current life, but it should be to convert what and who we are into what and who He is.
So, as we have read, there is more coming... a glorified body. Well, I don't know all of the ramifications of that, but I envision myself being about 24 years old, healthy, full of vitality, and not a blemish to be found! Oh, and I would finally like to have a singing voice too! Perhaps you have other ideas regarding yourself, but won't it be wonderful?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that I might stand before you free of sin and acceptable in your eyes. I also thank you for the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of my own resurrection, and glorified body as well. Lord, I am not ungrateful for this life and this body, but I see it's shortcomings and long to be as Jesus the Lamb of God... who was and is, and is to come... without blemish. Let me sing your praises Lord and join in worship with the heavenly host... glowing bright in my new body, and with angelic voice let me sing Holy, Holy, Holy... with raised arms and radiant face. You are truly my God Almighty!
Rich Forbes