WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

“… be ye stedfast, unmoveable …”

A VICTORIOUS TRANSFORMATION

Christ has saved not just our souls but also our bodies. We will receive a glorious resurrection body. But how will we receive it, and what will happen to those who are alive when Christ returns? Will they still not be in their physical earthly bodies? This is the “mystery” which Paul explicitly revealed in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

At the coming of Christ, those who are dead in Christ shall rise first, followed by those who are alive. This event will occur in an “atomic” second (atomoi, 1 Cor 15:52), and we shall be forever with our Lord (1 Thess 4:17). What a comfort to our souls!

The transformation of our bodies is also a victorious transformation, for it represents the climax of our victory over sin and death in Christ Jesus. Christ knew no sin, and thus death had no power over Him. Christ arose for the justification of our sins. All our sins are washed away by the blood of the Lamb. Indeed, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor 15:55). We thus await with great expectation for the consummation of our resurrection hope. The new heavens and the new earth will be a place where sin and death can no longer molest. We will spend eternity in joyful worship of our glorious Lord.

In the meantime, there is still work to be done in this sin-sick world. The sure hope of the resurrection serves as our encouragement for faithful service in the Lord amidst diverse trials and temptations. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58). Let us press on in the work of Christ and be ready for His coming.

THOUGHT: Am I living for Jesus?
PRAYER: Father, help me look forward to the life that is to come.