LEAVING THE FIRST PRINCIPLES -- Tomorrow:
"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." (Hebrews 6:1-4, NKJV).
Devotion 14 of 24
" . . . not laying again the foundation . . . of resurrection of the dead . . . "
The consideration of the resurrection of the dead will constrain one to discard all personal earthly advantages for eternal ones. One of the most precise statements of this incentive is given by Paul. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UN TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD" (Phil 3:8-11). By "attain unto the resurrection of the dead," the apostle means that he would be advantaged by the resurrection: i.e., being raised to "the resurrection of life."
Before his Jewish peers, Paul confessed he was put on trial "because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead" (Acts 23:6, NIV). He later was even more specific in declaring this matter. "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15).
Through the Spirit he wrote to the Corinthians, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor 15:19).
One of the revealed distinctions between the Pharisees and the Sadducees was found in the matter of the resurrection of the dead. "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both" (Acts 23:8). An early heresy that was circulated among believers was that the resurrection had already past. The heresy was so severe it overthrew the faith of some. Hymenaeus and Philetus, it is affirmed, "concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Tim 2:18). Certain among the contemporary Christian community, called Preterists, or AD 70 advocates, teach the same thing.
Before the Law, Job knew there would be a resurrection of the dead. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me" (Job 19:25-27). Isaiah spoke of a day when "the earth shall cast out the dead" (Isa 26:19). David knew, and declared, "God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me" (Psa 49:15). Believers under the First Covenant submitted to unspeakable atrocities, even dying violent deaths, "that they might obtain a better resurrection" (Heb 11:35). From the very beginning, the Apostles "preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (Acts 4:2). Paul declared it to the Athenians, even though they scoffed at the idea (Acts 17:18).
It is lamentable that many believers of our time have heard so very little, if anything, concerning the resurrection of the dead. Here is one of the foundational principles upon which spiritual life is built. It should not surprise us that godly lives are so exceedingly sparse. If this principle is not in place, faith withers and dies!
IF men do not build upon the foundation of "the resurrection of the dead," it brings no advantage to them. To build upon this foundation is to "go on to perfection." That involves living with the resurrection of the dead in mind, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:19). It means that we loosen our grip now upon everything that will not be welcomed in the resurrection of the dead. Whatever we are expected to be then, will be earnestly sought now. Whatever will cause pain and sorrow then, will be abandoned now.
When we have laid the foundation of "the resurrection of the dead, we will marshal our energies in earnest preparation for that day. We want it to be the time of our full liberation, when everything oppressive passes and all that is blessed comes.
If, however, the resurrection of the dead is only a tenet of our faith -- a subject about which we frequently speak philosophically--it will have no moral impact upon us. Early believers built upon the resurrection of the dead. They laid down their lives in hopes of being raised again. (1 Cor 15:29-32). They structured their lives with the resurrection of the dead in mind.
Laying this foundation repeatedly is necessitated when one becomes riveted to this present evil world. We have no way of knowing when the attempt to lay this foundation another time will not be allowed by God. Best to build upon that foundation now, living in hope of the resurrection, and not needing repeated reminders of its reality.
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for the hope of the resurrection, and for the powerful incentives it creates within the heart. Grant me grace to so live that it will always be refreshing and encouraging to contemplate the day when the earth will cast out her dead.