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REFLECTION

“A new body” is the theme for our reflection. A new body refers to the new nature that will be given to believers at the day of their resurrection and at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul explained the relevance of Jesus’ resurrection and its future significance and impact it will have on the body of believers. Without the resurrection of Christ there is no hope of a second and eternal life for believers. In the second and eternal life all believers shall recieve a new body whether they are alive or dead at the second coming of the Lord. Paul revealed to the Corinthian Christians that “…Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven(Jesus Christ). Mystery and Victory. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:49-57). Death has no power over our new nature and heavenly bodies. Hallelujah. John further wrote in his revelation from the Lord that “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away … The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:3-4,7-8). The second life is the eternal life which we shall receive with our new bodies but the second death is the eternal suffering in hell reserved for those who remain unrepentant and disobedient to God.

Dear friend, we must understand that the new body or new nature is not for everyone, it is for this reason, Paul admonished us through his letter to the Corinthian Christians that “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) In other words “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he or she has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:23-25) Shalom.

PRAYER

Merciful God, may our dedication and service to You as your servants not be in vain. We humbly ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen us physically and to empower us spiritually and morally to become beneficiaries of the new heavenly body when Jesus comes the second time to reward His faithful disciples. Amen.