AUGUST 8

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

Mal 3:3

“He will STAND and shepherd His flock, but will SIT as a refiner and purifier of silver”

JIM REIMANN:

 The refiner puts the silver in the crucible, puts the fire to it, but does not then walk away, leaving it on its own.  No, he sits and watches it, being careful not to set the fire too hot, which may ruin the metal, nor set it too low which will not allow the heat to do its work to burn away the dross and impurities. 

He sits, carefully watching the metal, all the while adjusting the fire to exactly the right temperature, and when does he know it is perfectly pure?   When the jeweler can see His face in the metal, for it reflects his likeness.

In the same way, the Lord sends the heat of suffering into our lives to burn away our impurities and to conform us “to the likeness of his son” (Romans 8:29).

“We…are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor 3;18). 

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror: then we shall see face to face” (1 Cor 13:12)

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This month we will continue the book, “Whatever Happens – How to Stand Firm in Your Faith When the World is Falling Apart.”  By a contemporary author of many best-selling Christian books, Robert J. Morgan.  He took care of his wife when she had MS, until she went home to her Savior.  “He knows of which he speaks.”  I pray that this book blesses you.

WHATEVER HAPPENS……….BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ADMIRE

Philippians 3:17-21

“17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

I have been studying verse 21 extensively, and I still do not fully understand it.  But let me give you three facts that I do understand:

OUR RESURRECTION BODIES WILL BE RECOGNIZABLE

The resurrection body will be our actual bodies – the ones we have currently here on earth – and not a new creation.  As I was working on this book, a friend sent me a question about whether we would really know our loved ones in heaven.  The answer is yes.  We will be identifiable in our new bodies.  We will recognize each other.  Jesus was alive in the same physical body that had been crucified.  They knew Him and He spoke to them with his mouth and with His voice – the same voice they had known and loved.  They fell at His feet and wrapped their arms around His ankles.  We’ll have the same recognizable bodies we have on earth.  You will be a new and improved version, but you will still be you.

OUR RESURRECTION BODIES WILL BE FUNCTIONAL

They will  function very much like our current bodies.  Luke 24:36-43 shows us Jesus’ freshly resurrected body on the evening of the original Resurrection Sunday:

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  They were startled and frightened, thinking it was a ghost.  He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and feet.  It is I Myself!  Touch Me and see;  A ghost does not have flesh and bones a you see I have.

When He had said this He showed them His hands and feet.  While they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in their presence.”

We’ll be able to eat.  In heaven, we’ll enjoy eating and drinking just as we do on earth.  There’s no reason I can think of that we shouldn’t also be involved in food preparation if we want.  I happen to enjoy cooking, but in heaven I know I’ll not give anyone food poisoning when they come over to my place for lunch!

Jesus did remarkable things with His resurrected body.  He could appear and disappear;  He could pass through stone barriers and wooden doorways;  He could apparently travel by telepathy.  Will we be able to do those things, or are they unique to His divinity?  I can’t speculate, but I do know our bodies will be far more functional than they are now.

OUR RESURRECTION BODIES WILL BE IMPERISHABLE

The most extensive passage on this subject is 1 Corinthians 15.  In a way, Philippians 3:21 is a one-verse summary of the entire 15^th chapter of 1 Corinthians  The first part of the chapter talks about the resurrection of Christ, and then Paul progressed to talk about the subsequent resurrection of Christ’s followers.  Vs 42 says:

“the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.”

Our glorified bodies will never deteriorate……that means no sickness, weakness, aging or dying.

That’s why Paul said in Phil. 4:1:

“Therefore…..stand firm in the Lord in this way….”

There are a few people worth emulating today.  But there is only one person who has the power to bring all things under His authority and transform us forever.   We are citizens of His kingdom – and we are eagerly awaiting His glorious return, when He will rapture the living, raise the dead in Christ, and transform our lowly bodies so they become like His glorious body.

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