OUR HOUSE FROM HEAVEN

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).

Devotion 4 of 12

WHY A RESURRECTION BODY?

Why consider the resurrection body? Why not deal more extensively with the difficulties of life, and the supposed issues of the day? Some consider the resurrection body a theological novelty, unrelated to profitable teaching. Consequently, they do not speak much on the subject. If this is appropriate thinking, God has taught us on inconsequential matters, and certain aspects of the Apostles' doctrine are really not relevant. Such postulates are utter absurdities, and unworthy of further consideration!

A pivotal doctrine

The resurrection of the dead is pivotal in Scripture. It lies at the heart of Divine blessing, and is not to be shunned. Dominated by an academic thrust and a lifeless religion, the Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead (Matt 22:23; Mark 12:18; Acts 23:8). Jesus told them they erred, "because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God" (Mark 12:24), certainly not an enviable position! Paul confronted this group of divinity students squarely, identifying the "hope of the resurrection" as the motivation for the faith life (Acts 23:6). There really was no place for their kind of thinking in the heavenly kingdom.

The faith-life is pointless if there is no resurrection

Paul taught our lives are pointless and vain if the dead are not raised (1 Cor 15:19). He challenged the Corinthians, "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?" (1 Cor 15:12). The fact that so very little is said these days about the resurrection of the dead only confirms we are living in a time of apostasy and spiritual famine. I seriously doubt that you could gather a large number of men together by promoting "the hope of the resurrection." You probably could rally them together with an emphasis on life in "this present evil world" (certainly a valid consideration, but not a preeminent one). Focusing on marital fidelity, financial stability, or even church growth would be interesting and profitable for many. Those, however, who are enduring a great "fight of afflictions" because of their faith, want to hear about the resurrection of the dead! They always have, and they always will. That is the nature of living by faith.

Jesus focused on the resurrection

Jesus revealed that the resurrection of the dead was dominant in the thinking of saints of old, Moses in particular. "Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Luke 20:37). As He opened the nature of His mission, our Lord referred to the "resurrection of the dead" as the time of ultimate reward(Luke 14:14). Jesus taught that He would summon all the dead to rise, and that all would come forth to their eternal reward (John 5:28-29). The Father's will for Jesus included raising them from the dead (John 6:39-40). Those coming to Jesus are promised they will be raised from the dead in the last day (John 6:44). Individuals participating in His life, Jesus taught, would be raised by Him "at the last day" (John 6:54). The bodily resurrection was at the heart of Christ's teaching!

Related to the Resurrection of Christ

Paul linked the Gospel itself with the hope of the resurrection. "Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor 15:15-17). Frequently Paul taught that Christ was raised, and therefore we also would be raised (1 Cor 6:14; 2 Cor 4:14). Christ's resurrection is a cornerstone of the Gospel, and our resurrection is a principal reason for our commitment to Him. The raising of Christ from the dead, and our own resurrection from the regions of the dead have been welded together by the Spirit of God!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the hope of the resurrection. In the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to prepare for that time, that I may be raised to everlasting life.

-- TOMORROW: CRITICAL TO LIVING BY FAITH --