Perspectives

1 Corinthians 15:35-38… 35) But someone may ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36) How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37) When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38) But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. (NIV)

Before we begin to try to interpret this section of Scripture, we would do well to remember one thing – all through it the Holy Spirit is directing the apostle Paul to talk about things that no one really knows much about. None of us here have died and come back to tell us what it was like on the other side; Paul is trying to express the overwhelming unspeakable experience he had using well-known human language – words that are familiar to the human mind.

From the day we are born we deal with varies forms of pain. In fact, incredibly early in life we find that pain is not a thing we want to experience very often. I do not know anybody who has ever told me that they are just silly about pain and enjoy ever moment of it… it is the other way.

Another indication or sign is that all of us are growing older; we are changing physically. It is the natural process of aging. (We know we look better than anyone else) We are not particularly enthusiastic about that aging process. But we are wise enough and smart enough to face the fact that we are growing older, and we look old no matter how often we have surgery we will eventually pass-on. The passing on part of life is a little worrisome. We can sympathize with others, and we do.

For the Christian, however, there is good news. The good news is that although we cannot do anything about the fact that we are growing old and one day we must pass away. Scripture, however, teaches we shall receive new bodies in our resurrection, we will receive one that is different from our current one yet will still reflect who we are. A body like Jesus Christ – glorious – powerful – made for eternity – this gives us hope.

The apostle Paul takes the similarity of a seed that is in the ground, and dies, but it rises again; and does so with a vastly different kind of body. Paul is showing us that there is an end to this life, and then we enter a different life, but life continues. When it rises again, there is a stark difference in its body. Regardless of the change and the difference, it still produces the same kind of seed that we had planted. Our earthly bodies will dissolve; they will rise again in quite different form; but it is the same person who rises.

There is a special day coming – yes there is – it is a day when Jesus Christ will return to this earth of ours to meet with all those who have acknowledged – recognised Him as their Lord and Saviour and to give to each one of us new Spiritual Bodies.

That begs the question… just what kind of body will we receive? On the surface, it is a valid question. Not only will we have a new one, but the new one will be for eternity. Unlike the one we currently have; our new resurrection bodies are going to be prepared for eternity… the present one is a natural body; the future one will be a spiritual one which the Holy Spirit can truly fill and use, which can never happen here. However, born again believers will not be frustrated as they enjoy worshiping Christ with pure joy flowing from their new resurrected bodies.

To God be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done.

Would you pray this prayer with me… “Lord Jesus, come into my heart? Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that Peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen.